Bhutan organizes Training for Agriculture Extension Staff to Boost Quinoa Production

Bhutan has organized a two-day Training of the Trainers to build the capacity of the extension staff in quinoa production. The training focused on advanced production technologies, marketing strategies, and addressing challenges related to quinoa cultivation, with the goal of promoting it as a key crop for food security and economic growth in Bhutan.

Bhutan joined the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative in June 2021 to globally promote quinoa as its special agricultural product. The Prime Minister of Bhutan, H.E. Dasho Tshering Tobgay, formally launched the initiative at the national level during the Bhutan Agrifood Trade and Investment Forum on 15 May 2024.  Moreover, quinoa has also been designated as a priority commodity in Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan, with a production target set at 2 360 tonnes.

Quinoa has been recognized as a priority crop in Bhutan due to its exceptional nutritional value, potential to generate significant income for farmers, and suitability for export markets. Its climate-resilient properties make it a vital crop in mitigating the effects of climate change on Bhutanese agriculture. 

Although quinoa has been successfully adapted to various agroecological zones in Bhutan, and suitable production technologies and varieties have been identified, commercial-scale cultivation has yet to reach its full potential. Recognizing quinoa's promise, the Bhutanese government has prioritized its development, implementing policies and initiatives to support its growth. The recent Training of Trainers, organized under an OCOP project supported by an FAO Flexible Voluntary Contribution, is part of ongoing efforts to build capacity among farmers and stakeholders. 

Quinoa. ©FAO/Alessia Pierdomenico