The country is witnessing a decline in vegetable production over the years. According to the National Statistics Bureau, production dropped by more than 5,800 metric tons last year compared to 2021. According to the agriculture and livestock minister, a decrease in the farming population is one of the causes of dwindling vegetable production.
According to the National Statistics Bureau, the country produced more than 32,000 metric tons of vegetables in 2021. But the production decreased to over 26,000 metric tons last year.
The report states that cabbage, cauliflower, chilli, broccoli and beans are the most commercially viable vegetables grown in the country.
The total harvest of cabbage was over 3,000 metric tons in 2022 compared to more than 3,700 metric tons in 2021. Paro recorded the highest production of cabbage.
Likewise, broccoli production also saw a decrease from more than 1,100 metric tons in 2021 to a little over 900 metric tons last year.
According to NSB’s Integrated Agriculture and Livestock Census of Bhutan, 2022, the decline in vegetable production was due to the reduction in the harvest area.
The agriculture and livestock minister Yeshey Penjor said that the country is witnessing a decreasing trend in agricultural yields every year.
“Not only has the agricultural production declined in 2021 and 2022 but it has been on a declining trend since the past few years. This is because of the rural-urban migration and youth refusing to work on farms after completing school. Similarly, increasing human-wildlife conflict also triggers the decline. In addition, lands are being left fallow.”
In the meantime, some farmers in Thimphu expressed similar views.
“The land here is very fertile and whatever we plant, grows well. However, people residing here are mostly elderly citizens. The younger generation goes to school and then leaves their village, looking for jobs. So, those who choose to stay back grow vegetables and try to earn some amount by selling them,” said Thinley Zangmo, a farmer from Maedwang Gewog.
“Children seem to take an interest in farming when they see their parents work hard in the fields. Otherwise, they do not seem to take interest,” said Ngawang Lhamo, another farmer.
“We always work hard every year but the yield is not always fruitful. If the production is good for one year, it starts to dwindle in the following year. Maybe it is because of the changes in soil nutrients and sometimes we lose our harvest to the insects and pest infestation,” said Jamyang Choden, who is also a farmer.
The agriculture and livestock minister said that the government is consistently working to improve the working environment for the farmers, and promoting technology-based farming.
“After revising the Food and Nutrition Policy, and improving the working environment, it is important to provide technical training. If we do not intervene, then they will lose motivation to work.”
Meanwhile, as per the Bhutan Trade Statistics 2022, the country exported over Nu 2.8bn worth of vegetables last year.
Bhutan achieved 85 per cent self-sufficiency in vegetable production last year.
The country may not be able to produce enough to meet the local demands if the production continues to decrease in the coming years.
Kinzang Lhadon
