National Irrigation Policy (Revised 2012).

This National Irrigation Policy (Revised 2012) provides strategic direction for Bhutan’s irrigation sub-sector to enhance food self-sufficiency and economic growth. It transitions from a narrow focus on traditional paddy cultivation toward a holistic, multi-sectoral approach that emphasizes sustainable water resource management and integrated river basin planning.
The Policy outlines eight core objectives, including accelerating sector investments, diversifing irrigation beyond paddy, promoting alternative water sources, strengthening technical capacity, and empowering beneficiaries through farmer-centered participation. It mandates the creation of an Irrigation Development Master Plan and explores alternative technologies like groundwater harvesting and drip irrigation to diversify crop production beyond paddy.
More specifically, the Policy institutionalises monitoring and evaluation through comprehensive irrigation inventories, baseline surveys, and SMART and QQTP indicators. Responsibilities for planning, implementation, and reporting are clearly allocated across national, regional, and local institutions to ensure accountability and sustainable scheme management .