Chapter 20: Farming Practices

I would like Westerners to view Bhutan not as a poor developing coun-try, but a country with a lot of potential. Although we have embarked on the development route very late, we have a lot of good things in this coun-try, which we can share with the world. For example, Bhutan is one of ten hotspots in the world for biodiversity. And by developing so late, Bhutan has much of its culture and traditions in tact. Also, we have the opportunity to learn from others’ mistakes in development.

The Bhutanese culture of the “middle path”: the path between economic development on the one hand, and adherence to rigorous practice of religion on the other hand. We are trying to find the middle path. I would not like to see Bhutan become like most developed countries.