The Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (often called as Renewable Natural
Resource [RNR] Sector) 11th Plan covers the period 2013-2018 and provides the
overarching direction for Ministry’s future setting of goals, objectives and areas of
thematic focus thereby ensuring coherence and consistency to the need of the
country. It also articulates the strategic interventions that would be required to
achieve the identified goals and objectives for the 11th plan. This plan largely
builds on the previous plans and retains much of its validity. The 11th plan does
not propose any major changes in direction or in MoAF’s unique mandate of
improving food and nutrition security, improving rural livelihood to overcome
poverty and sustainable management and utilization of natural resources.
Instead, the plan recognizes the need for MoAF to reposition itself to play a
crucial role in fulfilling its objectives and mandates. The plan also focuses on the
need to better leverage the comparative advantages of MoAF that was built since
the 1st plan of working with rural people. Having worked with the rural
communities, MoAF has plethora of experiences to face the global development
scenarios, expanding opportunities and new competitive pressure on MoAF’s
development effectiveness to achieve greater and more sustainable impact in its
operations, and to better contribute to the pursuit of Gross National Happiness
(GNH). Given the challenges and new opportunities confronting MoAF, the 11th
plan brings some adjustments to ministry’s overall strategic objectives and its
implementation.
The RNR sector continues to be the major player in improving the economy,
livelihood and environment of our country. As with the past plans, the 11th plan is
guided by the philosophy of GNH and its four pillars. In view of this, the 11th plan
goals, objectives, strategies and programs are formulated towards strengthening
the four pillars of GNH: i) Promotion of equitable and sustainable socioeconomic
development, ii) Preservation and promotion of cultural values, iii) Conservation
of the natural environment, and iv) Good governance.
Agriculture is arguably the most important sector of the Bhutanese economy. It
contributes up to nearly 16.8% of GDP, accounts for 4.3% of exports (NSB,
2012) and provides a large proportion of the raw materials for industries. The
sector directly employs about 59.4%1 of the total population and will continue to
be the key determinant in the country’s efforts to reduce poverty in the immediate
years ahead.
In the wake of the trade deficit (Rupee crunch) and the increase in the global
food prices, the Royal Government of Bhutan has placed agriculture at the centre