SARBHANG

19 February, 2009 - If successful, it could revolutionise Bhutan’s agriculture sector.  In India, the Green Revolution gave a boost to the agriculture sector, when high-yielding varieties of seeds and increased use of fertilizers and irrigation was introduced.

Although Bhutan is not exactly doing what India did, it is on the same track but on a much smaller scale. Three pilot projects will begin in Bhutan by mid-2009: 

• Shuttle breeding on pulses for development and identification of high yielding varieties for pulses for SAARC member states; 

• Rooftop rainwater harvesting structure at Zumbabee village, Chuzagang, Sarpang; and

• A seed-testing laboratory in Bhutan.

The shuttle breeding on pulses will be a research project and the seed-testing laboratory set up either at Bajothang in Wangdi or Yusipang, Thimphu.

These projects are a follow-up to the commitments made during the 14th SAARC summit, New Delhi, after India’s proposal for agriculture sector development.  This proposal resulted yesterday in the signing of three memoranda of understanding between India and Bhutan.  It was signed between the acting foreign secretary Daw Penjo for Bhutan and the Indian ambassador to Bhutan Sudhir Vyas for India.

The reason for choosing Bhutan as a location to carry out these pilot projects, said the director of SAARC division, foreign ministry, Sonam Tshewang, was because Bhutan and India have a tried and tested relationship and cooperation.

“For Bhutan, these projects not only mean gaining some very much needed expertise and equipment, but we’ll also be able to share the experience with other countries,” said Sonam Tshewang.  “It will sort of complement our own ongoing research on cereals.”

He said that, through this project, Bhutan will be able to get some invaluable expertise and sharing of information from the renowned Indian institute of pulse research in Kanpur.  “This opens up another door for us to access their technology and knowledge.”

The Indian government will provide the initial finances and training facilities, while Bhutan will provide the infrastructure and manpower. “It’s my hope that these projects, although small in scale, will have far reaching benefits to the people of Bhutan and be a model for south Asia,” said the Indian ambassador Sudhir Vyas.

By Sonam Pelden

spelden@kuensel.com.bt

Photo: GREEN EXCHANGE – Indian ambassador to Bhutan Sudhir Vyas and acting Bhutanese foreign secretary Daw Penjo at the signing of the MoU