EU Technical Assistance for Agrifood Systems project launched

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN and Bhutan's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) have launched a project called EU Technical Assistance for Agrifood Systems (EU-TAAS) to improve agriculture and reduce poverty in Bhutan. The EU provided Euro 15 million for this project in September 2022. With Euro1.4 million, the project aims to help Bhutan develop sustainable and climate-resilient food systems by supporting renewable natural resources sectors.

The project's start-up workshop discussed its goals and activities, with participation from government agencies, FAO, and the EU. The Bhutanese agriculture ministry is focused on food and nutrition security, aiming to boost high-value exports and ensure self-sufficiency in emergencies. FAO and the EU expressed commitment to the project's success, which aims to diversify agriculture, manage resources sustainably, and improve food security over 46 months. This project is part of a larger collaboration between the EU and Bhutan to promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agrifood systems.