Bhutan Pursues Food Self‑Sufficiency Guided by Gross National Happiness

Bhutan, a Himalayan kingdom of 800,000 people, is aiming for full food self‑sufficiency by 2029, a goal rooted in its 1972 Gross National Happiness policy. Forty percent of the population works in agriculture, yet only a small fraction of the country’s rugged terrain is suitable for farming. According to chef and restaurateur Bleu Tshering Dorji, farmers face a range of climate‑related challenges: unpredictable weather, wildlife conflict, and limited market access. Labor shortages are worsening as young people leave rural areas for urban jobs. The government’s strategy emphasizes efficient use of existing farmland, preserving landscapes, communities, and culture while boosting domestic food production.