MoAL and NLCS have identified 11,557 acres for large-scale agricultural use in eight dzongkhag, Bhutan. Over the past five years, 274 land lease applications have been approved, with 70 more under review. The limited availability and inefficient use of land contribute to discrepancies in land use, with only 7% of Bhutan’s total land area arable. MoAL and NLCS report poor soil quality, conflict, and water scarcity in fallow lands, fragmented in remote areas, making investment difficult. Only 1.58 percent arable land available for future use. MoAL is exploring using state, fallow, and dratshang land for large-scale agricultural projects in Bhutan, focusing on high-value commodities as part of Agrifood Sector Strategy 2034. The Ministry of Agriculture (MoAL) is developing 400 acres of land in Yarjugang, Gaselo, Wangdue for commercial farming and skill-building programs, while also providing technical support for two commercial chirub farms.
