Agriculture is of great importance to Bhutan with over 69% of people employed in the sector. Crops are grown from near sea-level to about 4,000 m asl. As a result crops and agricultural practices are diverse.
Important crops for export include potato, apple, citrus and large cardamom. For domestic consumption they include cole crops (especially cabbage), chilli, rice and maize. There is considerable potential for growth in the agricultural sector, especially providing those higher-value crops for the regional market for which Bhutan has a natural advantage.
Managing pests continue to be a major challenge. Application of the latest integrated pest management approaches will be critical as Bhutan strives towards organic production. Ongoing development of pest management practices will be needed as new pests arrive into the country, new crops are grown, and as agricultural practices evolves to meet domestic and international markets.
Common Crops
