Integrated Livestock and Crop Conservation Project
Background
The project will contribute to the attainment of food security and self-sufficiency in Bhutan through the maintenance of adequate levels of indigenous agro biodiversity. Specifically, the project will support and assist mainstreaming of agro biodiversity conservation into livestock and crop development in Bhutan.
In order to achieve this objective, the project will work in four target sites and at the institutional/policy level to overcome the barriers that currently prevent effective mainstreaming of agro biodiversity conservation in agricultural and livestock development.
The project will adopt the “Triple Gem” concept of the MoA in which value is added to traditional varieties and breeds by improving productivity, developing markets and facilitating market accessibility.
Objectives
The project objective is “To mainstream agro biodiversity conservation into livestock and crop development policy and practices in Bhutan.”
In order to achieve this objective, the project will work in four target sites and at the institutional/policy level to overcome the barriers that currently prevent effective mainstreaming of agro biodiversity conservation in agricultural and livestock development.
A key aspect of the project objective is that the end-of-project situation does not require that all farmers, or even a majority of farmers in the target sites grow traditional varieties or raise traditional breeds. The project seeks to ensure that the diversity of varieties and breeds currently found in the target sites continue to contribute to a profitable and sustainable agricultural economy. The project will adopt the “Triple Gem” concept of the MoA, in which value is added to traditional varieties and breeds by improving productivity, developing markets, and facilitating market accessibility. Progress on all three pillars of the “Triple Gem” will be facilitated by improved delivery of scientific information and technical support. The sustainability of the resulting benefits will be assured through institutional and policy improvements and dissemination and awareness raising.
Achievements & expected results
- Outcome 1: The documentation and characterization of indigenous genetic resources (including wild relatives) supports conservation and development policy, prioritization of conservation efforts and the identification of opportunities for income generation.
- Outcome 2: Agricultural and livestock development agencies are able to support farmers in conserving agrobiodiversity through provision of relevant and timely technical information.
- Outcome 3: Traditional varieties and breeds yield greater financial benefits to farmers.
- Outcome 4: Traditional varieties and breeds have access to new and larger markets.
- Outcome 5: Farmers have the capacity to access existing and emerging markets.
- Outcome 6: At a systemic level, the capacity of the MoA is adequate to mainstream agrobiodiversity conservation into the attainment of food security and self-sufficiency.
- Outcome 7: Farmers, agricultural and livestock sector professionals and the general public are aware of the contribution of agrobiodiversity conservation to food security and self-sufficiency.
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Bhutan
