The House held the first Question Hour of the Session with the Minister for Agriculture and Forests.

Hon’ble Tashi Samdrup, highlighted a brief background on the role of agriculture in Bhutan and its contribution to the livelihood of the majority of the population, and the unfortunate impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the agriculture sector.

On behalf of the House, the Hon’ble Member sought responses from the Hon’ble Minister regarding the Ministry’s strategies to cope with pandemic distress in terms of production and marketing related to the RNR sector, and measures to address marketing issues caused by the pandemic despite a boom in commercial farming.

The Hon’ble Minister, Lyonpo Yeshey Penjor responded that there is a need to increase agriculture production to meet domestic demand and increase export. He said that the Bhutanese farmers have predominantly been involved in subsistence farming and now has to step up to commercial farming. He added that in order to increase commercial production fallow and dry lands are to be used for farming and agriculture land development program, post-harvest management and value-addition mechanisms are being put in place. Moreover, supply of high-yielding seeds, construction and maintenance of farm roads are enhanced.  He continued that roadside market sheds are established and maintained school and hospital feeding programs are improved, in addition to export opportunities being explored.

Following which, Hon’ble Dorji Khandu, on behalf of the House, asked a question on the allocation of different preparatory days for cordycep collection, the possibility of extending collection period and measures to ensure sustainable harvesting and border demarcations issues between Gewogs at the inter Dzongkhag level.

Hon’ble Minister responded that the Ministry does not determine the number of preparatory days or the collection period, but the respective Local Governments, as they are best aware of their geographical and climatic conditions are authorized to determine the number of days and whether the collection period needs any extension. He added that the quantity permitted for collection, and who are legally allowed and in what areas are closely monitored by concerned authorities. He further added that the Ministry has sought assistance from the National Land Commission to resolve the issue of border demarcations between gewogs at the inter Dzongkhag level.

The House held the first Question Hour of the Session with the Minister for Agriculture and Forests.

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