𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

… 𝒕𝒆𝒏-𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒓𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒔

By Kezang Choden

Bhutan has officially approved its first National Agroforestry Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2035, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to promote sustainable land use through the integration of trees, crops, and livestock. The strategy, led by the Department of Forests and Park Services under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, provides a national framework to mainstream agroforestry across all agroecological zones. It is designed to strengthen food and nutrition security, enhance rural livelihoods, build resilience to climate change, and support biodiversity conservation throughout the country.

The Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry, known as CIFOR-ICRAF, provided technical support during the development of the strategy. Its contribution included scientific evidence, international experience, and policy guidance, helping to ensure that the plan is practical and aligned with Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness philosophy, as well as its national climate and biodiversity commitments.

The strategy places strong emphasis on climate-smart agroforestry systems to restore degraded land and reduce vulnerability to climate risks. It also seeks to improve household incomes and food security by promoting diversified, tree-based farming systems that are suited to local conditions. Strengthening institutional coordination, financing arrangements, and monitoring systems is another key focus to support effective implementation. Inclusive development is prioritized, with particular attention given to women- and youth-led agroforestry enterprises.

Implementation of the strategy will begin in January 2026 and continue until December 2035. It is intended to complement existing national development plans, forest policies, and climate strategies. In a related development, CIFOR-ICRAF and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2026. The agreement will formalize continued collaboration in research, capacity development, and technical support, further reinforcing Bhutan’s efforts to scale up agroforestry as a foundation of sustainable land management.

Tashi Tshomo, a farmer from Dagana Dzongkhag, said that agroforestry could help rural families earn income throughout the year. She explained that by growing trees together with crops and fodder, farmers would not have to depend on a single harvest.

“Trees also help protect farmland from soil erosion and changing weather patterns, which have become a growing concern,” she said. “With proper training and access to planting materials, farmers in Dagana would be more willing to adopt agroforestry practices, as the long-term benefits would support both present livelihoods and future generations.”

Women farmers in eastern Bhutan see strong potential in agroforestry to improve household food security and income, according to Sangay Wangmo from Mongar Dzongkhag.

She said that integrating fruit trees, vegetables, and fodder crops could help women meet family food needs while also generating income from surplus produce sold in local markets.

“Agroforestry allows us to grow different products on the same land, which reduces risk and supports our daily needs,” she said.

However, she noted that women farmers continue to face challenges in adopting such practices, including limited access to training, quality planting materials, and financial support. Decision-making around land use also remains a constraint in some households, affecting women’s ability to introduce new farming systems.

Sangay Wangmo added that targeted training programmes, access to seedlings, and small-scale financial assistance would encourage greater participation by women. She emphasized that involving women in planning and implementation would not only strengthen livelihoods but also ensure long-term benefits for rural families.

The Agriculture Extension Officer of Geling Gewog in Chukha Dzongkhag said that the gewog has not yet started an agroforestry programme. Despite being located in a subtropical region with favourable climatic conditions, agroforestry practices remain limited in the area.

“At present, only a few pockets within the gewog show elements of agroforestry, mainly through the intercropping of cardamom and orange plantations,” the officer said. “These systems, however, include very few forest tree species and do not reflect a structured or planned agroforestry approach.”

The officer explained that most farmers in Geling Gewog continue to focus on monocropping or simple intercropping systems aimed at short-term income. As a result, the integration of forest trees for long-term environmental and economic benefits has not received much attention.

“Agroforestry is widely recognized for improving soil fertility, reducing land degradation, and enhancing farm resilience against climate variability. In subtropical regions like Geling Gewog, the inclusion of suitable forest tree species alongside cash crops could also provide additional income through timber, fuel-wood, and non-wood forest products,” she said.

The absence of an organized agroforestry programme highlights the need for greater technical support, awareness, and planning at the local level. Officials said that with proper guidance and incentives, farmers could gradually adopt agroforestry practices that balance agricultural production with environmental sustainability.

Poonam Ghimirey, a 24-year-old resident of Gelephu, said that agriculture activities are still being carried out in local orange orchards, with some farmers gradually adopting more diversified farming practices. She observed that a few of her neighbours are strengthening their livelihoods and food security through tree-based farming systems that combine fruit crops with other agricultural activities.

“Such diversified systems are helping farming households become more resilient by providing multiple sources of income and food,” she said. “Continuing agricultural work within orange orchards allows farmers to make better use of available land while maintaining productivity. Tree-based farming practices can play an important role in preventing land degradation. By maintaining tree cover and improving soil health, these systems contribute to more sustainable land use over the long term. Adopting such approaches could help ensure more stable and sustainable livelihoods for farming communities in the area.”

Overall, the accounts shared by farmers and local officials point to both existing challenges and growing opportunities in adopting tree-based farming systems. While structured agroforestry programmes remain limited, the practices already being used by some households show how diversified agriculture can strengthen livelihoods, improve food security, and reduce land degradation. With targeted support and greater awareness, such approaches could contribute significantly to more sustainable farming and long-term environmental resilience.