4 February 2025: Thimphu: In a landmark moment for Bhutan’s agrifood sector, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan and the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Dr. QU Dongyu, jointly launched the One-Egg, One-Child Initiative and the Bhutan AgriSustain Fund on February 4, 2025, in Thimphu.
The One-Egg, One-Child Initiative
This initiative is driven by the conviction to address the nutritional deficiencies reported in the amongst the school going children. Under the the One-Egg, One-Child Initiative, egg will be integrated into school meals, ensuring students receive essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals necessary for their physical growth, cognitive development, and academic performance. With a commitment of USD 2 million from FAO, this initiative will be implemented in the upcoming academic session, initially reaching 300 schools and benefiting over 32,000 students.
Bhutan AgriSustain Fund
The Bhutan AgriSustain Fund is designed to accelerate the transformation of Bhutan’s agriculture sector from subsistence-based to a more commercial and sustainable model. The initiative will focus on empowering rural communities by enhancing resilience to climate change, fostering adaptation strategies, strengthening agricultural value chains, and addressing human-wildlife conflicts. With an ambitious goal of mobilizing USD 80 million, this fund will drive strategic actions to support sustainable agrifood sector development in the country.
During the launch event, both the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan and the FAO Director-General reaffirmed their mutual commitment to ensure success of these initiatives, exchanging words of appreciation and support.
FAO has been a key partner in Bhutan’s agrifood sector since 1972, playing a crucial role in food security, rural livelihoods, and sustainable farming. The launch of these initiatives marks five decades of collaboration, reinforcing a shared vision for a resilient and sustainable agrifood system. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock expresses deep gratitude to FAO and reaffirms its commitment to continued partnership in alignment with FAO’s Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, and Better Life.
