Introduction Bhutan’s agriculture sector, which contributed 14.7% to the gross domestic product in 2022, is facing mounting challenges as the impacts of climate change intensify. Global greenhouse gas emissions are disrupting farming practices and threatening food security. Key challenges, such as low production, limitations in technology, and lack of value chain have added to the sector’s problem—increasing the country’s reliance on imports and exposing it to external market risks. To address these concerns, Bhutan must embrace climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance productivity and resilience. Strategic interventions such modernizing farming methods, establishing greenhouse farms, and improving post-harvest management can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. By leveraging innovation and technology, Bhutan can strengthen its agricultural system, ensuring a reliable food supply while reducing dependency on imports. Enhanced agricultural practices can increase crop yields, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve the livelihoods of farmers. Key Challenges A study on Bhutan’s agricultural landscape identified three key challenges: (i) low production, (ii) limitations in technology, and (iii) lack of value chain (Figure 1). Figure 1. Causes and Impacts by Key Challenges in Agriculture Source: Author. Analysis show that low production is caused by labor shortage, aging farmer population, decrease in farm population, and unfavorable farmland conditions (e.g., small terrace plots and human-wildlife conflict). The decline in agricultural income also limits the sector’s adoption of new agricultural technologies that can increase productivity, labor inputs, and adaptation to climate change. The lack of integrated agricultural value chain threatens food security with small-scale and subsistence farming resulting in food shortage and reliance on imported agricultural products. The imbalance in supply and demand exacerbates food security concerns, further hindered by lack of infrastructure such as transportation and storage facilities that affects the distribution and preservation of agricultural products. Proposed Solutions To ensure Bhutan’s food security, it is essential to adopt strategies to increase farm productivity and decrease food loss in the supply chain. The study proposed three pilot solutions: (i) adoption of best practices to improve crop productivity, (ii) creation of modern greenhouse farms, and (iii) improvements in post-harvest management (Figure 2). Figure 2. Proposed Solutions for Food Security Challenges in Bhutan ICT = information and communication technology.Source: Author. Adoption of best practices to improve crop productivity Improving self-sufficiency through increased productivity of staple crops is a top priority. In particular, increasing the productivity of main crops, such as rice and potatoes, is critical. Rice is an important cereal in Bhutan and its availability directly impacts national food security and stability. However, rice production is continuously decreasing due to the reduction in cultivated areas, labor shortages, limited irrigation water, and climate change. To address this, an integrated approach is needed, involving the following: farmland configuration (farmland consolidation and mechanization) research and development on new seed variety and seed system development promotion of mechanization and information and communication technology (ICT), such as use of drones for sowing, pesticide spraying, remote diagnosis of diseases water-saving irrigation systems to ensure sustainable water management, mitigate drought risks, and improve crops harvest and post-harvest management through effective and efficient implementation of harvesting techniques establishment of proper storage facilities (e.g., warehouses and silos equipped with climate control systems to maintain grain quality and prevent pest infestations) It is also important to promote gender and youth capacity development through specialized training programs focused on gender-sensitive and youth-friendly agricultural practices. Potatoes are one of Bhutan’s cash crops, but production has suffered a significant drop due to the aging and declining quality of potato seeds. Mainstreaming disease-free potato seeds is essential because potato is a highly degenerated crop easily infected with virus. Immediate interventions should focus on the following: improve agricultural practices (e.g., adequate irrigation, fertilization, and pest management) intensify disease-free potato seed production systems and seed supply introduce post-harvest management system adoption of new varieties Creation of modern greenhouse farms The establishment of modern greenhouse farms are proposed to reduce dependency on imported vegetables. Traditional farming methods limit year-round production and hinder competitiveness, forcing the country to rely on imported vegetables during the winter season. Modern greenhouse farms—integrated with ICT—can produce and supply vegetables year-round and reduce import dependence. ICT, such as sensor systems, automated control systems, remote monitoring and control, fertilizer application systems, and weather forecasting would help monitor and control temperature, irrigation, and fertilizer application. Development of farm operational manuals customized to Bhutan's conditions is also an innovative and systematic approach of knowledge transfer. While greenhouse infrastructures are being built, enhanced capacity development through trainings and workshops, collaboration with industry partners, technology providers, agricultural experts and study tours are crucial technical assistance components. Improvements in post-harvest management Effective post-harvest management is crucial to minimizing food loss and ensuring food supply. Food loss occurs due to inadequate management of the value chain, from crop harvesting to storage, processing, and packaging. To tackle these issues, several steps are necessary: activation of an agricultural products processing center, which would play a key role in the efficient production and distribution of local crop production areas and post-harvest management. The center can supply foods that meet the needs of consumers, using facilities for pre-cooling, sorting, packaging, processing, storage, and carrying out shipping and distribution. development of post-harvest management manuals for each crop to ensure a more aligned and systematic approach commercialize customized products by route, grade, specification, and packaging materials to meet the needs of various consumers Sales and delivery management should also be enhanced through strategic marketing segmentation, expanded market channels (e.g., wholesale markets, large distributors, and exporters), and integrated value chain logistics (e.g., installation of cooling transportation facilities linked to cold storage to maintain marketability, unit load system, and traceability system). Implications Based on the analysis of the key challenges and proposed solutions, the expected outcomes include enhanced food security through increased crop productivity and decreased food loss, supported by climate-smart agricultural practices. The following results are expected: Figure 3. Enhancing Food Security in Bhutan APC = agricultural products processing center, ICT = information and communication technology.Source: Author. Increased crop productivity and decreased food loss. Crop production will increase using best practices, such as land consolidation, improved seed systems, mechanization, and post-harvest management. The adoption of modern technology and mechanical agriculture can counteract the decline in productivity caused by labor shortages and mitigate the effects of climate change. Enhanced resilience to climate change. Climate-smart agricultural technologies that use fewer inputs to produce more can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the sector’s adaptability to climate change. Adaptation technologies will enable farmers to produce reliable yields even during abnormal climates, alleviating food supply concerns. Improved food supply and farm income. Increased crop productivity can lead to higher market supply, while improved food quality can extend shelf life and enhance competitiveness in domestic and export markets. These will ultimately lead to higher farmers’ income from better yields and increased market access. Promotion of gender and youth capacity. The role of women and youth in agriculture can be strengthened by focusing on gender-sensitive and youth-friendly agricultural practices, such as the use of drones, ICT systems, seed production, and post-harvest managements. Capacity-building efforts will ensure that these groups actively contribute to and benefit from the agricultural transformation. Resources Kingdom of Bhutan, National Environment Commission. 2020. Third National Communication from Bhutan to the UNFCCC. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Agriculture Research and Development Center. 2023. Annual Report 2022–2023. Royal Government of Bhutan, Gross National Happiness Commission. 2013. Eleventh Five Year Plan 2013–2018. National Statistics Bureau. 2021. RNR Census Report. Royal Government of Bhutan. Bhutan Trade Statistics. 2021. Bhutan Trade Statistic Report. Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan. National Statistics Bureau. 2023. Quarterly Labour Force Survey Report. Royal Government of Bhutan. United Nations Development Programme. 2023. Bhutan: Empowering Farmers for Transformational Agriculture. Ask the Experts Changnam Jung Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist, Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office, Sectors Group, Asian Development Bank Changnam Jung’s main areas of expertise include climate-smart agriculture, farm management, and sustainable livestock management. Prior to ADB, he worked as a deputy director at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in the Republic of Korea. He earned his master of agriculture science from Chonnam National University. Asian Development Bank (ADB) The Asian Development Bank is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region. Its main instruments for helping its developing member countries are policy dialogue, loans, equity investments, guarantees, grants, and technical assistance. 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