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Role Reversal Turns the Aid Tables
***Bhutan is giving aid to farmers in Holland. No, it is not a misprint — in an unusual role reversal, reports Gemini News Service, the two countries have overturned conventional expectations, and both hope to gain. Hugh Williamson writes from Cologne, Germany***
IT was like any other launch of a new development project. The foreign donor flew in, shook a few hands, made a few speeches, handed over the cheque and flew out again.
But the September ceremony had one big difference. The donor was not a western country, but the small south Asian kingdom of Bhutan (annual Sross national product per in-abitant: 8420). The recipient was not a developing nation, but Holland (per capita GNP: $24,000).
It was Bhutan's Agriculture Minister. Dasho Khandu Wangchuck who had the satisfaction of handing over the $100,000 cheque to a fanning project in Zeeland, south-west Netherlands.
"Our aim is to change development assistance from a oneway to a two-way street." says Peter Lammers of Ecooperation, a Dutch government-funded foundation which runs this reverse-aid programme
Tm very nappy to help the Netherlands," said Dasho Khandu. with no trace of irony. That may be understandable: Bhutan's financial gift is actually part of the $5 million Dutch
aid it receives every year, Bhutan chose to give the money back — to a project of its choice — to promote development in Hofland.
The ceremony was held as part of a "Sustainable Development Treaty" which The Hague signed with Thimphu in 1994. Similar treaties exist with Costa Rica and Benin. The treaties — the first of their type worldwide — are a rare, practical outcome of the series of United Nations summits held during the 1990s
At the 1992 Earth Summit In Rio de Janeiro, governments from the North and South committed themselves to sustainable development. To play its part. Holland adopted the three treaties In an attempt to "change the rules of North-South cooperation".
In practice, this means that Holland not only gives aid to Benin. Bhutan and Costa Rica, but is also committed to Imple-
menting sustainable development goals back home — with the help of its three partners.
The four countries are aiming at "not only more aid to the South, but also less consumption of resources in the North", says Ecooperation
In the Zeeland farming project. a private company run by local farmers alms to bring older wheat seed strains back into common use. Such strains, which date back centuries, have been pushed out by more modern seed types, the farmers say. The older seeds give lower yields, but are more naturally sustainable as they need lower Inputs of chemicals and fertilisers. being more suited to local conditions.
"We chose this project because of the need to maintain biodiversity,'' says Dasho Khandu. The Dutch farmers could learn from us — our agriculture Is more sustainable
than in the Netherlands."
Just like traditional donors. Bhutan will be keeping an eye on project management. The farmers are to send regular report to Thimphu.
But Bhutan — like most donors — also wants to benefit from the aid it gives. "Our farming sector is changing, becoming more commercial,' says Dasho Khandu. "We want see how we can avoid some of the problems Western farmers are facing."
Among the other treaty partners. Benin has yet to decide how to use Its S 100.000 but Costa Rica has spent the money on inviting young Dutch people to see how tropical rainforests can be managed.
In addition to the funding flows, businesses, non-govern-ment organisations and public bodies in Holland and Its three fiartner countries have made winning agreements.