The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan, and Mountain Hazelnut Venture Limited, USA, was signed this morning (30th January 2009) in Thimphu.  The MoU was signed by Hon’ble Lyonpo (Dr.) Pema Gyamtsho, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and Mr. Daniel Spitzer, Chairman, Mountain Hazelnut Venture Limited. Also present at the occasion were the Hon’ble Secretary, the Heads of the Departments, Program Director of RC Wengkhar, the Managing Director of Druk Seed Cooperation and the representative from Planning & Policy Division, all from the Ministry of Agriculture.


The Hon’ble Lyonpo said that this was the start of the New Year and the start of a new enterprise and he assured support and cooperation from all the relevant sectors of the Ministry without compromising the set standards.  

Hon’ble Lyonpo (Dr.) Pema Gyamtsho and Mr. Daniel Spitzer sign the MoU

Mr. Daniel acknowledged the contribution from the MoA and the other arms of the government towards the successful beginning of the project.  He hopes to have a successful venture which will help establish a trust fund for the farmers with a certain percentage of income that will be generated from the sales of hazelnut in future.   

                          Exchanging the MoU documents 

The hazelnut plantation project will start with three eastern dzongkhags of Pemagatshel.  Trashiyangtse and Trashigang.   

Reported and pictures taken by Singye Wangmo, Sr. Communication Officer, ICS.