Twelfth Five Year Plan - Central Plans.

This Document is the Volume II of the 12th Five Year Plan (FYP). It is a multi-sectoral policy document at the national level, containing the plan priorities and the programme profiles of the Ministries, Constitutional Bodies and Autonomous Agencies and covering the period 2018 - 2023. The objective of the 12th FYP is “Just, Harmonious and Sustainable Society through enhanced Decentralisation.”
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF) is mandated to enhance food and nutrition security, and conserve and manage natural forest resources and biodiversity. Plan Priorities include: The Ministry will explore new prospects for improving rural livelihood by focusing on increasing agricultural productivity, transforming subsistence farming to commercial farming and sustainable utilization of forestry resources. Since most of the agricultural products in Bhutan are sold in its raw form or with minimum value addition, the Ministry will enhance the value chain programme. Storage facilities at strategic locations will be constructed, and packaging materials and refrigerated trucks will be deployed to increase shelf-life of farm produce. The Ministry will also promote organic farming by supplying green manure, implementing integrated land management and certifying organic products. Competing demand for land for developmental activities is one of the major issues for maintaining the current forest coverage. As such, Ministry will continue to implement measures for sustainable management and utilization of the forest resources to maintain at least 60 percent of land under forest cover for all times to come. The Ministry will implement the following programmes: 1 Food and Nutrition Security; 2 Value Chain and enterprise Development; 3 Sustainable Natural Resources Management and Utilization; 4 Research and extension Services ; 5 Climate Smart and Disaster Resilient Development ; 6 Highland Development; 7 Coordination and Support Service.
To enhance Food and Nutrition security, activities are proposed, including: enhance cereal production; enhance oil seed and legumes production; enhance horticulture production; etc. The 12th FYP seeks to make agriculture more productive and sustainable. Maintaining healthy eco-system, carbon neutral and climate resilient development is one of Priorities set up in the Policy document to create a Harmonious Society. While priorities proposed to create a Sustainable Society include: Enhancing economic diversity, and productive capacities; Ensuring renewable energy supply; etc.
In terms of sustainable natural resources management and utilization, activities are proposed, including: Sustainable management and utilization of timber; State of forest and carbon stock assessment; enhance community based forest management and conservation; enhance community based forest management and conservation; Reduce forestry and wildlife offences/conflicts; enhance conservation and sustainable utilization of bio-diversity; etc.
The 12th FYP seeks to reduce rural poverty. The Food and Nutrition Security programme activities will significantly increase household income. Infrastructure development for agriculture production, processing and marketing will enhance community level assets. It will also enable household level assets such as livestock holdings and agriculture enterprises. Diversification of agriculture and value addition to primary production is expected to create jobs and enhance livelihoods
The 12th FYP promotes to enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural systems. Activities are proposed, including: Enhance animal health and nutrition services; Strengthen plant and animal biosecurity and bio-safety level; Enhance food quality and safety; Promote national organic & certification programme; Promote organic livestock farming; establish agro-based enterprises including agriculture, livestock, NWFPs and ecotourism; Promote viable farmer’s groups and cooperative; Facilitate and support export of RNR products; enhance research knowledge and information management; etc.
The 12th FYP seeks to increase the resilience of livelihoods to disasters. Activities are proposed for Climate Smart and Disaster Resilient Development, including: Promote Climate Resilient Livestock Farming; Adopt Climate Smart irrigation and water efficient technologies; Strengthen RNR Disaster management institution; Reduce forest fire incidences; etc.