3. Mekong Institute, Khon Kaen Thailand
Training Course on Income Generation and Poverty Reduction for Development 16 March-10 April 2009
Mekong Institute, Khon Kaen Thailand
Country Report Presentation for Kingdom of Bhutan by Pema, Dzongrab Dagana Dzongkhag and Karma Rinchen, Dzongrab Gasa Dzongkhag
Background
Kingdom of Bhutan lies on the Himalaya with China in the North and India territories in the east, south and west.
Area 38,394 sqkm (source 9FYP document Bhutan)
Bhutan is Constitutional Democratic Monarchy Country.
Population : approx 0.734m (9FYP cover Note)

4. About 79% of the population live and depends on subsistence agriculture for living.
GDP per capita income was US $ for 2006 (source UN stat Div 2006)
2004 Poverty Assessment Report-32% live below national Poverty line of Nu per month ( US $ )
Poverty for Bhutan is more of rural seasonal phenomenon.
Developmental Philosophy is Gross National Happiness
Developmental targets/goals are reflected in Bhutan 2020-vision for peace, prosperity and happiness- where we want to see after two decades-which guides Five Year Plans
Five year plans (decentralised)

5. 2 Factors Contributing to Poverty
Mountainous terrain
Insufficient cultivable land
Shortage of farm manpower
Limited availability, accessibility and long distance to well established markets
Religious believes
Growing extended families
Less survival pressure (Buddhist sympathizer)

6. 3. Government and Non Government Organisation Interventions to reduce Poverty and generate Income
Government Policy
-9 and 10 Five Year Plans ( ) are guided by central theme of Poverty reduction
Non Government
-Tarayana Foundation-builds houses, petition money, community income generating centers (bamboo and cane weaving)
-Youth Development Fund-Scholarship for economic disadvantaged children, handicrafts for disable childrens
-National Women Association of Bhutan-Traditional weaving centre and trainings, shops -

7. Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industries-Groups organisations and frames business policies and strategies in line with Government
Policies and Trains/impart skill development programs.
WWF-Nature Conservation and Socio-economic development programs
Bhutan Trust Fund For Environment Conservation-Nature Conservation and Socio-economic development programs
Religious and Monastic institutes/Colleges-impart education and employment

8. 4. Best practices concerning income generation and poverty reduction
Central Government Agency which frames central developmental themes, guides five year planning and monitor plan implantations (Gross National Happiness Commission)-Umbrella
Strategies by various Ministries
Farm Road development
Increase Crop production
Establish markets

9. Assist and development farmers business skills
Make every citizen accessible to natural resources
Subsidised on rural resources
Development partners Projects- ICDPs for subsidized or free roofing materials, schools infrastructure, bridges, mule track development, ecotourism
Subsidised crop seed, improved livestock breeds, develop pastures, subsidized fisheries, poultry and piggery stocks.
Control and provide free disease mgt services.

10. Carry out research related to productivity
Financial institutes offering easy loans
Government Salary (recent bottom up) increase and control housing and commodity cost hike
Donors coordination
Allow equal business opportunity (trade and contract works)
Gear up Hydro power construction
Free health services, greater coverage (infrastructure and workers)
Provide safe drinking water for all (78% in 2000, target 100% by 2007

11. Provide motorable road connectivity, including bridges
Put accountable and responsible administrator (plans)
Establish vocational institutes to develop skill
Build up diplomatic relations with other countries
Provide free basic education for all (present cl.10), NA has requested till cl 12
Provide cheap and easy transportation.
Provide affordable and available housing facility

12. Make every family own land (His Majestys responsibility)-surveys in every District
Develop tourism (Low vol high value, Bhutanese context)

13. TASHI DELEK Challenges and Opportunities
Mountainous terrain- small population
More illiterate-education for all and NFEs and ECRs
Family dependence-becoming aware
Scattered Settlements, Households-small population
Small internal revenue-private sector development becoming a concern and stable and committed government
Difficult to locate and identify poor
Difficult to identify the real causes of poverty
Needs more detailed study
TASHI DELEK