Bhutan and FAO strengthen collaboration to boost sustainable quinoa production under the OCOP initiative

A high-level delegation from the Royal Government of Bhutan, led by the Honourable Younten Phuntsho, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, met with the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Secretariat at FAO headquarters in Rome on 16 October 2025 to further strengthen ongoing efforts under the initiative. 

The discussions centered on exploring innovative approaches to promote sustainable quinoa cultivation in Bhutan, a key agricultural product promoted under FAO OCOP initiative. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), a highly nutritious and climate-resilient crop native to the Andean region of South America, was introduced to Bhutan in 2015 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock with technical support from FAO.  

Recognized for its adaptability to diverse agroecological conditions, quinoa was selected as Bhutan’s Special Agricultural Product (SAP) under the OCOP initiative. Currently, quinoa is cultivated primarily in the drylands of eastern Bhutan but is also grown across all districts, particularly in mid-valley and mountainous regions. Despite growing interest, efforts to develop value-added products such as flour, cookies, porridge, and salads have yet to gain strong market traction due to limited consumer awareness and advocacy. 

The meeting also highlighted the establishment of the world’s first international pilot Geographical Indications Environment & Sustainability (GIES) ground station for OCOP implementation in Bhutan. The innovative collaboration, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences under an MoU with FAO, aims to further enhance the sustainability and market potential of the quinoa value chain. 

During the meeting, Minister Phuntsho underlined quinoa’s potential to enhance livelihoods, improve food and nutrition security, and support Bhutan’s broader agrifood transformation agenda. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the quinoa value chain through sustainable production, processing, and market development to enhance its visibility and competitiveness across domestic and international markets. 

Yurdi Yasmi, Director of FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Division and Deputy Executive Secretary of the OCOP Secretariat, emphasized that  sustained commitment and partnership, stronger synergies between OCOP and other FAO flagship initiatives such as the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, and the use of science and innovation in plant production,  can help transform Bhutan’s agricultural landscape through sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and local communities.  

Ken Shimizu, FAO Representative to Nepal and Bhutan, joined the discussion, offering insights on how FAO can continue supporting Bhutan’s quinoa sector through technical assistance, research collaboration, and policy guidance. Discussions also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among national institutions, local farmers, and development partners to build a resilient and inclusive quinoa value chain.  

The Bhutanese delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and FAO Bhutan.