2.2 Access to Food
Physical access to food is promoted mostly through commercial groceries that import and
distribute food items across the country. The Food Corporation of Bhutan maintains food
stocks in strategic locations. Vegetable, fruits and meat animal products are marketed
mostly through weekend markets. Facilities for weekend markets are established by the
Government in most urban areas.
Road networks across the country comprising of national highways, Dzongkhag roads and
farm roads serve as the channel of food distribution across the country. Almost all Geogs in
the country are now connected by farm roads.
Traditional social safety network play a significant role in the caring for the old, young,
unemployed and sick in the Bhutanese society both in urban and rural areas. These social
safety networks enable access to food by the vulnerable groups. In rural areas, remittances
from urban relatives, borrowings in cash and kind as well as exchange of labour for food are
other mechanisms that enable social access to food. However, in urban areas such practices
are noticeably declining.
On the economic access to food, income generating activities, particularly focusing on fruit
crops, vegetable and livestock production are promoted through program support from the
Government, to supplement meeting food requirements from own production at
household levels. Non-farm income generating avenues such as arts and crafts and tourism
are some of the opportunities that are promoted. The collection and value addition from
NWFPs also contribute significantly to income of rural populace enhancing their access to
food through improved purchasing power. In terms of urban scenario, the employment in
government and business sectors provides source of income which is mostly used for
purchasing food.
However, food prices have been increasing consistently and is a cause of concern. Food
price inflation has reached 11.89 in 2008 from 5.74 in 2005. In 2009 and 2010, it had
dropped to 9.0 and 8.89 respectively. It has touched double digit of 10.54 again in the
second quarter of 2011.
Most food commodities are imported from India and changes in import scenario from India
would have significant impact on access to food by the Bhutanese.
2.3 Utilization of Food
Although the national average energy consumption exceeds 2500 Kcal/person/day, in the
worst-off areas this figure does not reach 1900, or only 85-90% of the 2124 set as the
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minimum required. Average consumption of protein, vitamins, and minerals is even further
below that is needed for good health.
Nutritional status of the under fives have improved a lot with stunting rate of 56% in 1988
to 37% in 2008 (National Nutrition and IYCF survey 2008) with higher concentration in the
east. Apart from insufficient dietary intake for a long period of time, inappropriate infant
and young child feeding practices is one of the major contributing factors to stunting status
of the children. Anemia is still a major public health problem with over 80% of 6-36 months
children anemic, over 50% in women and adolescent girls, and over 28% in men (National
Anemia Survey 2002).
Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) has been a major public health problem in the early 60s
with the prevalence of Total Goiter Rate (TGR) over 64%. Several Nationwide studies have
been carried out and based on the studies lot of interventions has been taken up through
multi-sectoral collaborations/approaches. These periodic studies, evaluation and
interventions indicated that Bhutan has made a dramatic progress in the control of iodine
deficiency disorders. It also demonstrates that the IDD control program has made a
considerable impact, which led to the declaration of elimination of IDD as no more a public
health problem (2003) with TGR at 5% and iodized salt coverage at 95%. The biggest
challenge is the sustenance of the elimination status which calls for even more
collaboration between stakeholders like MoAF, MoH, BAFRA, Customs, FCB, Bhutan Salt
Enterprise (BSE). Therefore, awareness on the need to buy and consume iodized salt by
general population is an all time requirement.
Vitamin A is another important micronutrient that needs to be addressed, however in
Bhutan Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is not a public health problem with only sub-clinical
prevalence rate at 2.6% (National VAD study 2000). Therefore, regular supplementation of
vitamin A to the school children and under fives are appropriate enough to meet the
requirement.
Infant and Young child feeding practices are not optimal among the mothers and caregivers
which leads to malnutrition, and contributes to the growing Non Communicable Diseases in
the later part of their life. There are a lot of cultural and traditional barriers which need to
be addressed so as to promote optimal breastfeeding.
2.4 Stability dimensions of FNS
Climate change is likely to have a serious effect on food production in many ways. Slow
onset and changes in mean temperatures and precipitation patterns are expected to affect
yields. Added to this will be crop losses resulting from more frequent and intense extreme
weather events.
In 2004, flashfloods in six eastern Dzongkhags claimed lives of 9 people, washed away 29
houses, damaged 107 houses and destroyed 664 acres of farm lands (NDRMF, 2006).
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In 2009, cyclone Aila brought about very high level of rainfall causing flooding along many
natural drainage systems. It claimed lives of 12 people and caused severe damage to
agriculture, transport facilities, schools and hydro projects.
In 2010, landslides and flashfloods damaged more than 2000 acres of agriculture land
affecting 4165 households, damage of irrigation channels and farm roads affected 529
households. It washed away 40 acres of pastureland (DoA, MoAF, 2011 & DoL, MoAF)
In spring 2011, successive windstorms occurred in 16 dzongkhags (districts) causing
damage to 2424 rural homes, 81 religious structures, 57 schools, 21 health centers and 13
government institutional facilities.
Global financial crisis, rising food and fuel prices and other market conditions have seriously
affected food prices and therefore access to food.
3. Policy and Legal Environment
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan requires the State to promote circumstances
that would enable the citizens to secure an adequate livelihood. It requires the Government
to secure ecologically balanced sustainable development while promoting justifiable
economic and social development and to ensure a safe and healthy environment. It also
calls for granting land Kidu to citizens by the Monarch.
Vision 2020 was formulated with the overarching goal to ensure the future independence,
security and sovereignty of the Kingdom. Maximization of Gross National Happiness (GNH)
is set as the guiding principles for future development. Horticulture has been accorded
priority as a means of raising the cash incomes of farmers, generating export revenues and
for achieving an improvement in the nutritional status of the rural population. The effective
management of watersheds for safe drinking water as well as for hydropower are
considered as key components of our efforts to place the nation’s development on a
sustainable path.
Land Act of Bhutan, 2007 enables commercial agriculture and enables the Government to
declare any area in the country as protected agricultural areas aiming at the best use of
land by seeking sustainable options and choosing those that bring about the desired
economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the citizens of Bhutan. While the act
protects Chhuzhing (paddy land), those outside protected agriculture areas can be
converted to other land categories if found infeasible for paddy cultivation. Conversion of
Chhuzhing to residential land is permitted if land owners have only inherited Chhuzhing and
do not own a house to live in. The Act also maintains the provisions from the Land Act, 1979
that enable construction and renovation of irrigation channels and embankments as well as
its right of way when passing through the property of any other person.
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Food Act of Bhutan 2005 provides protection to human health through trade of food in the
Kingdom of Bhutan. All food imported into Bhutan are being certified by the recognized
authority in the exporting country and imports are only allowed through officially
designated border points. The Act subjects all food businesses in Bhutan to standards for
health and safety.
Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan, 1995 provides legal environment for
community based resource management and utilization, community forestry, transport &
trade of forest produce, soil & water conservation and royalty free domestic consumption
of non-wood forest products (NWFP) that are not in the list of Schedule 1 of the Act.
The Seeds Act of Bhutan, 2000 enables promotion of seed industry in the country to
enhance rural income and livelihood through regulation of quality of seeds, sale of seeds
and certification.
Plant Quarantine Act of Bhutan, 1993 prevents the introduction of pests into the country
through regulation of import and export of plants and plant products.
Livestock Act of Bhutan, 2001 provides for regulation of livestock breeding, health and
production to enhance livestock productivity and prevent diseases. It aims to enable only
appropriate breeds of livestock, poultry and fish of acceptable quality are introduced in the
country. The Act enables privatization of production, import and export, process, and sale
of animals, animal products, feeds, drugs, and other inputs necessary for enhancing
livestock production.
Cooperatives Act of Bhutan, 2001 (amended in 2009), provides legal framework for the
formation of Co-operatives and farmer groups to enhance their economy of scale.
Bhutan Water Policy, 2003 recognizes the role of rivers as an aquatic habitat and as a
source of food. It also recognizes individual right to safe, affordable and sufficient quantity
of water for persona