The Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (DAMC), in collaboration with the FAO Country Office in Bhutan and with technical expertise from Mahidol University, Thailand, is organizing a Technical Workshop on Building Capacity of Food-Based Entrepreneurs and Key Institutions in Value Addition and Food Product Development. The workshop, held from December 24 to 27, 2024, in Paro, is part of the broader One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative. It aims to strengthen Bhutan’s food systems through innovation and skill development.
This workshop brings together a diverse group of participants from government agencies, state-owned enterprises, and private enterprises, showcasing a multi-stakeholder commitment to advancing Bhutan’s food and agriculture sector. The program focuses on enhancing technical capacities for developing innovative and value-added products, with an emphasis on quinoa and other Specialized Agricultural Products (SAPs). These efforts aim to align with Bhutan’s goals for nutritional security and economic sustainability.
Experts from Mahidol University are conducting hands-on training sessions on key areas such as recipe development, food formulation, nutrient profiling, product standardization, certification, packaging, and labeling. These sessions aim to bridge traditional Bhutanese food practices with modern food processing techniques, ensuring the preservation of Bhutan’s culinary heritage while boosting the market competitiveness of locally produced goods.
The workshop highlights the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s commitment to fostering sustainable agriculture and food security through enterprise development and innovation. By equipping participants with practical skills and knowledge, the initiative seeks to enhance the market potential of Bhutanese products, improve rural livelihoods, and contribute to the nation’s economic resilience.
#ocop #faobhutan #FoodSecurity #moal
