The Blue Economy - CASE 98: A Future for Buckwheat in the Himalayas
This article introduces a creative approach to storing energy as one of the 100 innovations that shape The Blue Economy, known as ZERIʼs philosophy in action. This article is part of a broad effort by the author and the designer of the Blue Economy to stimulate open-source entrepreneurship, competitiveness and employment. Researched, Written and Updated by Professor Gunter Pauli.
The Blue Economy Inspired Series
A Future for Buckwheat in the Himalayas:
Transforming Tradition with Innovation for Sustainability
Written by; Shelley Tsang, 2024.
Buckwheat has been a cornerstone of Himalayan agriculture and culture for millennia. Today, as global food systems evolve under pressure to address climate change, food security, and rural economic stability, Himalayan buckwheat faces both challenges and unprecedented opportunities. In Bhutan, innovators are exploring how this resilient crop, adapted to high-altitude farming, can sustain traditional livelihoods while pioneering new markets and value-added products. This approach aligns closely with The Blue Economy—a concept developed by the Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI), which aims to create sustainable, local economies through resource-efficient solutions. By leveraging buckwheat’s versatility, Bhutan aims to not only revive its cultural relevance but also enhance rural development, inspire open-source entrepreneurship, and open avenues for economic sustainability.
The Global Buckwheat Market: Current Challenges and Emerging Opportunities
The global buckwheat market in 2010 was valued at $400 million, with a production volume of only 1.5 million tons, a stark contrast to the double that output a decade earlier. While demand has increased, fluctuating weather conditions and market dependency on top producers like China, Russia, and Ukraine make the supply volatile. China, accounting for 39% of global production, has pioneered research on increasing yields, improving them by 70% in recent decades through agricultural innovations. However, most buckwheat is grown under contract farming for corporations, limiting the profitability for smaller farmers.
The demand for buckwheat is increasingly tied to its nutritional profile and gluten-free properties, making it a valuable crop for health-conscious consumers in Europe, North America, and Japan. While it is traditionally consumed as pancakes or soba noodles, buckwheat is also gaining traction among people with diabetes due to its low glycemic index and B-vitamin complex content. Its rapid growth cycle and high-altitude resilience make it ideal for Himalayan farmers, yet the crop’s benefits are at risk as imported grains, such as rice, gain popularity in the region.
Buckwheat: A Nutritional Powerhouse and Sustainable Crop
Buckwheat is uniquely suited for sustainable agriculture, particularly in high-altitude environments. Growing without pesticides or fertilizers, it provides high yields even in poor soils, making it ideal for Bhutan’s rugged terrain. The crop’s short growing cycle, which spans just 30 days, helps it outcompete weeds naturally. Furthermore, buckwheat provides a wide range of nutritional benefits, including all essential amino acids, Vitamin E, and a high protein digestibility rate of 74%.
The plant also supports pollinators, as its flowers produce honey with up to 20 times more antioxidants than traditional honey varieties, adding by-products that can drive local economic growth. Beyond its culinary uses, buckwheat’s hulls can be transformed into hypoallergenic pillows, eco-friendly packaging material, and heating pads, all of which hold high market potential. However, promoting buckwheat consumption locally and globally requires innovative branding and value-added products to capture consumers’ attention.
Innovating Tradition: The Emergence of Buckwheat-Based Non-Alcoholic Beer
One of the most promising avenues for Himalayan buckwheat is the production of a unique non-alcoholic buckwheat beer, targeting the growing health-conscious market in Japan. Kinley Tshering, a Bhutanese forester trained in the U.S., is leading this effort. Inspired by The Blue Economy’s principles, he seeks to create a sustainable, profitable model for buckwheat-based products that prioritize local resources and minimize environmental impact. Through a collaboration with Japanese branding expert Sy Chen, a model was proposed to establish a licensing agreement with Japanese breweries. Bhutan would supply the buckwheat malt extract, while Japan would brew and market the beer under a Bhutanese brand. This approach allows Bhutan to retain revenue from royalties without the logistical costs of exporting beer.
In Japan, non-alcoholic beer is the fastest-growing segment in the beverage market, presenting a significant opportunity for Bhutan. Through the PAWO brand, registered by Bhutan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, this venture could establish a valuable revenue stream while promoting Bhutanese agriculture on the global stage. Early projections suggest that royalties from the beer could generate more income than raw buckwheat exports, providing local farmers with a reliable and lucrative market for their crops.
Creating a Multi-Stream Cash Flow Model for Buckwheat-Based Ventures
The Blue Economy model encourages creating multiple revenue streams from a single resource. Buckwheat provides Bhutan with a chance to apply this model by diversifying the ways it can be used. Beyond licensing for beer, potential revenue streams include:
Malt Extract and Local Market Sales
Producing a malt extract from buckwheat creates a high-quality product for breweries while leaving behind protein-rich spent grain. This by-product can be repurposed as animal feed for local farms, replacing expensive and low-quality imports and supporting Bhutan’s organic farming goals.
Wild Yeast and Alcohol
Bhutan’s ecosystem supports diverse wild yeast strains that could contribute unique flavour profiles to beer. By harvesting wild yeasts, Bhutan could develop a niche in speciality brewing markets. Additionally, any alcohol extracted in the production process for non-alcoholic beer could be sold as a standalone product.
Health Products and Eco-Friendly Packaging
Buckwheat honey, with its antioxidant properties, can be marketed as a premium health product. Furthermore, buckwheat hulls can be used for hypoallergenic pillows, heating pads, and biodegradable packaging, tapping into growing markets for sustainable products.
Tourism and Educational Initiatives
Bhutan’s scenic beauty and rich culture make it a prime location for eco-tourism. By promoting buckwheat farming and production as part of agro-tourism packages, Bhutan can attract tourists interested in sustainable agriculture and traditional crafts. This initiative could also educate visitors on the importance of buckwheat in Himalayan culture and cuisine, adding value to Bhutan’s tourism offerings.
Ensuring the Future of Himalayan Buckwheat and Cultural Preservation
In Bhutan, the Department of Agriculture has embraced an organic farming program that aligns with its commitment to environmental sustainability and cultural preservation. Revitalizing buckwheat production provides Himalayan communities with a sustainable source of income while preserving traditional agricultural practices. By connecting buckwheat farming with eco-tourism, Bhutan can introduce a global audience to its cultural heritage, ensuring that younger generations remain engaged in agriculture as a viable livelihood.
The initiatives in Bhutan mirror broader trends in sustainable agriculture worldwide. Localized production, minimal transportation, and high-value product development can make small-scale farming competitive with industrial agriculture. By creating a resilient local economy that serves both Bhutan’s needs and global markets, the Bhutanese buckwheat industry serves as a case study in using local resources to foster sustainable economic development.
Scaling the Blue Economy Model: Global Applications and Lessons
The Bhutanese model offers insights for other regions looking to protect indigenous crops and promote sustainable agriculture. Small island nations, mountainous regions, and areas with fragile ecosystems face similar challenges and can benefit from applying the Blue Economy principles. By focusing on local resources and environmentally friendly practices, they can reduce dependency on imported goods, boost food security, and create employment.
For example, the Andean region, known for its quinoa production, could adopt Bhutan’s approach by creating value-added products such as quinoa-based beverages, snacks, and supplements. Similarly, smallholder coffee farmers in Central America could develop eco-tourism initiatives to promote shade-grown coffee and showcase sustainable agriculture practices. Each of these examples demonstrates how local products can be re-envisioned to provide unique market offerings, creating financial stability while preserving traditional knowledge and biodiversity.
Conclusion: Buckwheat and Beyond—A Path Toward a Sustainable Future
The story of buckwheat in Bhutan illustrates how traditional crops when reimagined through innovation, can drive sustainable development in harmony with local ecosystems and cultural heritage. The Blue Economy model exemplified by buckwheat-based non-alcoholic beer production in Bhutan presents a replicable, scalable approach for other regions worldwide, especially those seeking sustainable and culturally significant economic models.
Buckwheat, long celebrated in the Himalayas, is now at the centre of an economic model that promises to enhance food security, preserve cultural heritage, and create economic opportunities. Bhutan’s strategy to transform buckwheat into a driver of economic growth reflects an understanding that sustainable development does not require sacrificing traditional values or the environment. By embracing local resources and open-source innovation, Bhutan shows the world a path toward a sustainable future, where economies grow not through exploitation but through respect for natural cycles, local knowledge, and global cooperation.
The future of buckwheat in the Himalayas is bright, and Bhutan’s example reminds us that even the humblest crop can have the power to transform a community, foster sustainable economies, and promote cultural resilience. As more countries and regions turn to models like The Blue Economy, we edge closer to a world where economic prosperity aligns with environmental stewardship and social equity.
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