Low Emission Development Strategy for Food Security (2021).

Bhutan’s Low Emission Development Strategy for Food Security seeks to increase domestic food production while maintaining the country’s commitment to remain carbon neutral. Agriculture and livestock are central to rural livelihoods and national food security, but Bhutan remains heavily dependent on food imports. At the same time, agriculture and livestock accounted for approximately 14.5% of national greenhouse-gas emissions in 2015. The strategy therefore aims to separate growth in food production from growth in emissions, while supporting economic recovery, rural livelihoods and Gross National Happiness objectives.
The strategy proposes six principal interventions: 1. Switch from synthetic to organic fertilizers; 2. Improved agricultural practices; 3. Increased biomass through increased perennial crop production; 4. Small and medium scale domestic biogas production; 5. Reduction of continuous rice flooding; and 6. Improved dairy cattle production through breed improvement and feed management. These interventions are intended to reduce emissions, increase soil and biomass carbon, improve soil fertility and water management, provide renewable household energy and increase agricultural and livestock productivity. In terms of implementation, the strategy recommends strengthening coordination between national ministries, local governments, extension services, farmers’ groups and the private sector; building technical and greenhouse-gas accounting capacity; improving local data collection through ICT-enabled systems; and identifying suitable technologies, including both modern and traditional practices. It also calls for mobilising domestic and international finance through climate funds, development partners, private investment and carbon-market mechanisms.