Bhutan

Project description

The Bhutan Food Systems Integrated Program project supports the Royal Government of Bhutan’s vision to transform food systems in line with the 13th Five-Year Plan and the National Food System Pathways, while advancing the country’s commitment to Gross National Happiness.

The project focuses on eastern Bhutan, where fragile mountain ecosystems, land degradation, climate variability, and human–wildlife conflict threaten agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods. These landscapes are part of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot and include globally significant protected areas and wildlife corridors.

In response, the project promotes integrated, nature-positive food systems approaches that strengthen governance, restore degraded landscapes, improve value chains, and support climate-resilient agriculture and livestock systems. In doing so, it helps improve food security, enhance livelihoods, and protect Bhutan’s unique ecosystems.

Read More on The Productive and Sustainable Food System in Bhutan for Environmental Benefits and Gross National Happiness

Our approach

The project applies an integrated landscape and food systems approach that connects policy, production, ecosystems, and markets.
Activities focus on strengthening food systems governance, promoting nature-based and climate-smart practices, and improving value chains and market access for sustainable crops and livestock products. The project also supports the adoption of digital tools, knowledge platforms, and monitoring systems to guide decision-making and scaling.
Key actions include restoring degraded rangelands, promoting sustainable crop and livestock systems, reducing land degradation, and strengthening community-based natural resource management. Capacity building and innovation are central to enabling farmers, institutions, and value chain actors to adopt sustainable practices.
The project places strong emphasis on gender equality and social inclusion, ensuring that women, youth, and vulnerable communities benefit from food systems transformation.

Project Sites

The project is implemented in six eastern districts (dzongkhags) of Bhutan:
Lhuentse, Mongar, Pemagatshel, Samdrup Jongkhar, Trashigang, and Trashiyangtse .

These areas include key protected landscapes such as Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary, and Phrumsengla National Park, which host globally important biodiversity.