Offtg. MoA Secretary, Mr. Karma Dukpa (centre) with the delegates, Dr. Jo Won KIM (next to Offtg. MoA Secretary), Ms. Choo Ja KIM  and Professor (Dr.) Jineshang Choi. On the left- Mr. Chencho Norbu, Director DoA and Mr. Dorji Dhradhul, CoRRB

The delegates from the Jinju National University (JNU), Republic of Korea including Dr. Jo Won KIM, President of JNU; Professor (Dr.) Jineshang Choi, Project Manager, Focused Village Rural Development (FVRD) and Ms. Choo Ja KIM are in Bhutan to assess the progress report of FVRD project based in Samcholing, Drakten geog in Trongsa.

On 24^th November 2009, the Council of RNR Research of Bhutan (CoRRB) organised a consultative meeting with the delegates which was chaired by the Offtg. MoA Secretary, Mr. Karma Dukpa. Also present were the Director of the Department of Agriculture, Chencho Norbu and officials from the Agriculture Marketing Division, Policy and Planning Division and CoRRB of the ministry.

Samcholing was identified as a potential area for the expansion of green tea cultivation during the visit of JNU team headed by Dean Khang in July 2008. Accordingly, CoRRB submitted a proposal called, FVRD project to the Korean Government for the financial support.

The five year project that was started coinciding with the 10^th FYP has been developed in an integrated approach and includes components such as green tea production, horticulture plantation and livestock rearing with the provision of social infrastructures development targeting thirty households.

Mr. B. B. Rai presenting the project progress report

According to B. B. Rai from CoRRB, the first year project with USD 25,000/-  focused on green tea production. In April 2009, green tea processing equipments like roller, sealing machine and roasting pan were installed in the community. Besides, it also covered a processing house, nursery program, fencing work and farmers training. The total estimated budget for the FVRD project is USD 158, 000.

FVRD project is aimed to develop a model demonstration village with integrated activities, develop a demo tea garden for income generation through agro-tourism, provide self-employment opportunities to school drop outs, formation of farmers group for production and marketing, and study the socio-economics impact of such interventions. The project will also try to promote mushroom farming, human resource development, awareness and documentaries in the following years.   

According to the progress report, the project has helped farmers to increase their income by six times in Samcholing. One of the farmers, Nima who used to earn Nu. 3,500/- earlier, is now able to earn around Nu. 20, 000/- though various project activities. With the project in place, good sanitation and proper treaming of old bushes of tea has also improved. 

The meeting discussed project issues including importance of official commitment and release of fund. CoRRB also enquired if JNU could provide their staff with the technical training on the green tea cultivation and processing. The President assured that the request will be discuss further with the higher authority in Korea.

During discussion, the Project Manager informed that the second year budget will be based on the progress achieved in the first year. He urged CoRRB to prepare annual evaluation and provide more results. He added that around sixteen different programs will be proposed in the coming years. 

Project discussion

The delegates visited Trongsa on 25^th November 2009  to assess the tea growing areas in Samcholing which covers an area around twenty to thirty acres of land. Based on the progress, the delegates will discuss the second year’s activities and confirm the commitment from JNU.

At the end of the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding is expected to sign between the two governments to ensure the project completion which will further enhance the living standard of the Samcholing people.

Reported by Tshering Doma, ICS

Photographs by Choidup Zangpo, ICS