The Asian Development Bank and the Government of Japan will provide a grant of $3m to Bhutan to upgrade farm roads in the country’s rural areas.

The project will involve developing about 40km of farm roads in two impoverished districts to improve accessibility for economic and social activities.

The work, which will be implemented by Bhutan’s Department of Agriculture over three years, will also establish community groups to manage and maintain the new farm roads.

Construction work will be carried out using environmentally-friendly construction techniques including improved drainage systems.

Bhutan will provide an additional $256,314 towards the project, according to the ADB.