Bhutan and FAO: Achievements and Success Stories
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In recent years, Bhutan has made steady progress toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Poverty has been substantially reduced from 32 to 23 percent during a short span of four years (2004-2007). Life expectancy has steadily increased, from 47 years in 1985 to 66 years in 2005. Bhutan experienced a successful and smooth transition to democracy in 2008. Bhutan’s economy grew an average of 8.75 percent a year in real terms from 2000-2008, raising annual per capita income to US$1 9 00. Strong growth is expected to continue. A key driver of growth is the energy sector, and in particular hydro-electricity, which brings in revenues and helps power a nascent industrial sector. Tourism is another major source of revenue for Bhutan. Bhutan is vulnerable to natural disasters. Located in the Himalayas, a region of powerful tectonic activity, Bhutan has suffered from earthquakes throughout its history, with a quake registering 6.3 on the Richter scale as recently as 2009. Glacial f loods have damaged development structures in the recent past. The availability of land and steady growth in the agricultural work force provide hope that basic nutrition and quality of life will continue to improve. Bhutan has also registered a steady rise in permanent crops suggesting that with support and training the country can increase its own food security. Bhutan became a member of FAO in 1981, and an FAO Representative Office was opened in the capital, Thimphu, in April 1985. However, FA O had been providing development assistance to Bhutan since 1972. FAO support to the country grew and expanded with the establishment of the country office. FAO’s support to Bhutan has focused mainly on two areas – sustainable forest management and food security, including food quality and safety. Increased food production was supported by projects that built the capacities of Bhutanese officials and farmers, and encouraged the rational use of fertilizers and chemical pesticides. Operational and management plans, information generation, and forest classifications were developed for the forestry sector. Today FAO is assisting Bhutan through 21 projects. Bhutan also benefits from FAO regional and global programmes, including the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) and the Regional Programme for Food Security (RPFS).