In view of the preparations for the next financial framework (2021 - 27), ICA-AP was invited for a virtual consultation with Civil Society Organisations on 8th June 2020 by the EU Delegation to India and Bhutan. The EU team made a presentation on the programming process and proposed EU flagship initiatives in Bhutan which were in line with the European Commission priorities as well as with the national priorities identified as part of their country assessment. The flagship initiatives aim at identifying opportunities for collective EU response in the partner country including engagement with EU CSOs and private sector. The focus was on climate resilience, green growth, disaster resilience, digitalisation of health services, upgrading skills of health staff, teachers and others, transform learning in schools thru’ ICT and Linking to Vocational Education system.
As of 2019, there were 509 farmer groups and 71 cooperatives registered with the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (DAMC – the government department in charge of registering cooperatives) in Bhutan. The 69% of Bhutan’s population who live in the rural areas primarily depend on agriculture for livelihood. It is also in the rural areas, where majority of the country’s poor live. Therefore, agriculture is a critical sector for pursuing equitable socio-economic development and reducing poverty. A number of farmer’s cooperatives have been formed in Bhutan to effectively manage agricultural enterprises. A partnership program has also been initiated to connect agriculture and tourism sector by bringing together cooperatives and consumers especially in the hospitality industry. The prospect of organic farming in the country is huge because of the very limited or no use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Rural enterprises that enhance and sustain the values of agriculture, livestock, and forest products as well as cultural products (e.g. textiles, bamboo and cane handicrafts, woodwork) are also being promoted by the Royal Government. Product diversification and improvement are being persisted through skills development and products marketing is being encouraged through formation of cooperatives and improved market access.
Representing the cooperative movement, Mr. Mohit Dave briefed the discussants on the ongoing ICA-EU Partnership, ICA-AP priorities in the region and DAMC’s role. Given the focus on climate and digitalisation, he mentioned about DAMC’s work in the area, need to build capacity for digitization of monitoring and evaluation of coops, and the climate pledge made on the Coopsfor2030 campaign. The Ministry of Agriculture & Forests in the Royal Government has been pursuing the formation and development of cooperatives and farmer groups for several years, in order to help farming become more efficient, profitable and market oriented, which in turn can enhance the income and standard of living of the members. One of the outcomes of establishment of cooperatives is the creation of gainful employment - be it for its own members or for those who are not members of the group.
The meeting was the first of-its-kind for Bhutan and there was interest to continue such an engagement regularly on a biannual basis.
