There is a need to digitise agriculture in the country. This is according to a study report launched by the labour ministry in collaboration with the UNDP. As per the report, the agriculture sector has a very low contribution to the country’s GDP. But the report suggests that this can be changed for the better by digitising or incorporating technology in the agricultural sector.
The “Bhutan Workforce Futures” report focuses on issues and possible solutions in the creative, digital, and agriculture sectors.
The report talks about the need to improve skills like digital and financial literacy, smart irrigation and digital agriculture.
As per the report, agriculture in the country is at a crossroads due to the extreme nature of megatrends such as climate change.
With economies becoming increasingly dependent on technology, especially in developing economies like Bhutan, digitizing and incorporating technology in the agricultural sector has become crucial.
“Now, through this study, we focused on how we can come up with ideas where you can leverage technology, like smart farming technology and things like that. We cannot get stuck with the old style of doing things, we need to move forward as technology advancement moves forward,” said Labour Secretary, Tashi Wangmo.
According to the report, from the three sectors, it was found that agriculture contributed the least to the country’s GDP. This was because, despite the high workforce in agriculture, most farmers in the country are subsistence-based.
“Digitizing the agriculture sector, Bhutan can increase its production, making it attractive for the new entrepreneur, particularly the youth. It will also help to access the market, whether that is in Bhutan or that is outside Bhutan,” said the Resident Representative of the UNDP, Mohammad Younus.
“The digital and creative sector will help navigate all these difficulties we face as a traditional farming society, like Bhutan is today, to something more progressive and new generational for the future. I think the digital and technology will also help young farmers tell their stories, create brands and reach the international market,” said Sangay Rinchen, a farmer.
As per the latest state of the nation report, the agriculture sector contributed to less than 20 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product.
Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
