Conducting feasibility studies for establishing bio-inputs production plants and building infrastructures, certification of organic products are some of the key activities of the National Organic Flagship Programme for the fiscal year 2019-20.
The flagship programme’s Annual Performance Agreement (APA) was signed between the Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering and the Agriculture and Forests Minister Yeshey Penjor yesterday.
The programme’s other key activities include the accreditation of Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) as a third-party certification body for carrying out inspection and certification of organic products. Also, the programme aims to employ 100 individuals in the organic sector and establish dedicated organic sale outlets.
Another major focus of the flagship programme for this year is to enhance the required technical capacity of the stakeholders and to create and put in place an enabling environment.
The government has allocated a budget of Nu 1bn for organic flagship programme for the current plan. Of which, Nu 189.9 M is earmarked for this financial year.
The flagship program will be implemented in 20 Dzongkhags covering crops such as rice, maize, buckwheat, quinoa, asparagus, ginger, turmeric, cardamom and legumes. It will also focus on honey, egg, trout, chugo and bamboo shoot.
The programme aims to sustain livelihood system through increased organic production, domestic production of bio-inputs, enhance organic value chain and marketing and strengthen policy, institution and regulatory environment for the organic programme.
The Organic Flagship APA was also signed between the MoAF’s secretary and heads of the departments and agencies to ensure the achievements of respective activities.
