9 February 2026 – Mongar: The Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) inaugurated the Project Management Unit (PMU) office for the project titled “Productive and Sustainable Food Systems in Bhutan for Environmental Benefits and Gross National Happiness” at the Agriculture Research and Development Centre (ARDC), Wengkhar, Mongar, during his ongoing tour to the eastern and south-central dzongkhags. The inauguration was conducted in a simple yet meaningful ceremony, marking an important milestone in the implementation of the project.
The event was attended by the Dasho Dzongda of Mongar Dzongkhag, the Khenpo from Anim Dratshang, the Project Directors of ARDC and CARLEP, officials from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and officials from the dzongkhag, the project, and ARDC.
As part of the ceremony, the PMU delivered a presentation providing an overview of the project, including its key objectives, priority intervention areas, and anticipated benefits for farmers and rural communities. FAO officials also highlighted the organization’s role in supporting the implementation of the initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with national partners.
In his address, the Hon’ble Minister congratulated the PMU on the successful establishment of the office and commended the team for their efforts in operationalizing the project. He expressed confidence that the initiative would play a significant role in strengthening the agricultural sector, improving livelihoods, and building resilient food systems capable of meeting future challenges. The Minister further acknowledged FAO’s continued partnership and valuable support in advancing sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship in Bhutan.
The establishment of the PMU office is expected to enhance coordination, facilitate effective project management, and ensure timely implementation of activities across the targeted dzongkhags.
The project is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
