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Country profile - Bhutan

Cutting a new path with the double-edged sword of development

No bigger than Switzerland and with a population of just 600,000 - of which all but 15% work the land - Bhutan is the last Buddhist kingdom of the Himalayas. Less than 30 years ago, after centuries of self-imposed isolation, the monarchy led the country into contact with the outside world. The deep and fundamental respect Bhutanese have for their natural resources permeates both policy and practice. Aware that development is a two-edged sword, the Bhutanese are determined to cut a new path for their country, with increased prosperity and better health care, education and standards of living but without losing their culture or diminishing their natural resources. Bhutan begins the 21st century with its diverse natural resources and unique culture intact, so far. But, with food security falling and many of the next generation of farmers hoping to find a living off the land, huge challenges remain.

Geography

Bhutan is landlocked, about 300 kilometres long and 150 kilometres wide. It shares a border with Tibet to the north-west and north while the rest of the country is surrounded by India. Virtually all Bhutan is mountainous with 20% of land under perpetual snow, and ranging in elevation to 7554 metres. North to south the country can be divided into three regions: the high Himalaya of the north, the hills and valleys of the centre and the foothills and plains of the south. Yet within these regions, the natural plant cover and the agriculture vary enormously. Bhutan's four major rivers flow south and their huge energy is being harnessed in hydroelectric power schemes. These rivers have cut deep valleys making east-west travel difficult. The narrow 'national highway' winds along the valley sides connecting the only airstrip, at Paro, with the capital Thimphu and on to the eastern border and to the Indian border town to the south at Pheuntsholing. There are no internal flights and no railway.

Agriculture

Only 8% of the land is cultivable, the rest too steep, too high or too cold to farm. Thick virgin forest covers most of the mountainsides. Timber exports have been banned except by special licence. High altitude pasture is grazed with yaks which produce milk processed into butter and cheese. Plants unique to these heights are harvested for use in incense-making and traditional medicine. Barley and buckwheat can grow and seed in the short season as can brassicas such as cabbage. In the middle hills the lower land can be terraced and, with the valley floors, can be planted with rice. Apples grow well and walnuts have been introduced. The temperate climate at this altitude favours potatoes, chilli and summer vegetables but the land is often covered in snow in winter. Most farm households have a milking cow and some chickens. Some also keep pigs. The forests are a source of mushrooms, wild fruits and animal fodder. Further south and at lower elevations, Bhutan's farmers can grow tropical fruits and year-round vegetables.

Government Policy

The notion that gross national happiness is more important than gross domestic product is central to the Bhutanese value system. Nevertheless, there are agricultural policies in place to try to improve the productivity and profitability of agriculture. There is a pressing need to increase agricultural exports to balance the flow of predominantly Indian produce that streams over the border. Bhutan's apples have a ready market in neighbouring India and in Bangladesh but the system of harvesting, collection, sorting and packing have led to disappointing prices. Efforts are underway to share better methods with farmers to secure better prices for apples and potatoes and to help farms in the middle hills to grow a greater diversity of vegetables for the increasing non-farming urban population. At high altitude there are programmes to help with livestock health and nutrition and to support the sustainable harvesting and domestication of the high-value medicinal or ritual plants which now are a valuable export and the subject of much scrutiny at Bhutan's Institute of Traditional Medicine. Techniques for extending the growing season for vegetables with simple polytunnel or fleece soil covers are helping communities at altitudes around 4000 metres, which have few sources of fresh produce, to improve their diets and health. Chilli is considered by Bhutanese as the most important ingredient in any meal and the all-important chilli crop has succombed to chilli blight (Phytophthora capsici) so blight-resistant varieties are being introduced. The abundance of wild mushrooms in the extensive forests has prompted detailed research into the cultivation and export potential of the most sought after varieties.

Challenges

Over 80% of Bhutanese work on the land or in related businesses but many of them hope that their children will find other professions. The Ministry of Agriculture believes that taking some of the drudgery out of farm work, as well as helping to increase farm profitability, will make agriculture more attractive to young people. New vocational agricultural training for young farmers is to begin early in 2000. Food security is falling - now down to 65% - as imports, mainly from India, increase. Meat, eggs and dairy produce as well as many processed foods and some fruits and vegetables are brought in by the lorry load. There are opportunities for Bhutanese to fill this food supply gap with more domestic production.

Written by Susie Emmett

Date published: January 2000

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