Located on the southern slopes of the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is heavily forested, with 70 per cent of its total land area covered by forests and only three per cent under cultivation. Despite the economy enjoying a boom, with corresponding increases in GDP per capita and falling poverty levels, rural areas still suffer from disproportionately high poverty rates. Rural poverty is often determined by a range of factors, including a lack of infrastructure, isolation from markets, underdeveloped business and financial services, natural disasters and shortfalls in farm labour. These issues are particularly pertinent in the Trashi Yangtse District.
In addition to these challenges, climate change also exacerbates rural poverty by threatening agricultural production. Climate change already undermines the yields of local staples including red rice and vegetables. These impacts frequently stem from erratic or disrupted rainfall patterns which result in the decline of freshwater resources. Altered weather patterns frequently disrupt harvests, and agricultural land is often lost due to flooding events.
The Bhutan edition of Recipes for Change consists of two dishes: Red rice with Ema Datshi and Millet Momos or dumplings. The farmers of Yangtse Women's group began using millet as it requires less water, making it well suited for climate change.
Climate threats to red rice and vegetables in Trashi Yangtse District of Bhutan