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Agriculture Sector |
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Back ground
The Dzongkhag has 4 Agriculture Extension Centers (AEC) and 6 RNR Extension Centers for delivery of extension services to the farmers. The Dzongkhag has 2115.45 acres of wetland, 5627.33 acres of dry land and 1063.20 acres of orchard. There are 6 completed and 3 ongoing farm roads measuring 71 kms in length and 100.54 km irrigation channel in the Dzongkhag. Delivery of agricultural inputs in time is the biggest challenge due to poor transportation in most part of the Gewogs.
Vision
Agriculture potential is fully realized to provide equitable income and livelihood for the rural population and agriculture continues to manifest itself as a sustainable living culture that contributes to food needs, economic security, poverty alleviation and happiness
Mission
To promote agricultural growth through increase production and enhanced rural income; develop social and physical infrastructures to make rural areas vibrant and more attractive; sustain productivity of land and water resource and pursue an appropriate agriculture development model for Bhutan that includes conservation of environment and human health and poverty alleviation.
Objectives
1. To enhance production to achieve Dzongkhag and national food security.
2.To improve access to enhance sustainable rural livelihood and to make rural living more attractive.
3.To improve marketing to enhance rural cash income.
4.To expand and promote arable land.
5.Strengthen agriculture directions and services in the Dzongkhag
Strategies
The Dzongkhag agriculture sector will be guided by RNR Triple Gem concept of Production, Access and Market and as such, all programs and projects will be implemented based on these principles.
Production boosting technologies viz. Plant protection measures, post harvest technology, market study, field demonstration, farm mechanization and farmers study tour will be pursued.
Strengthening agriculture extension direction and services
Enhancing Production
The enhancement of production will be ensured through adoption of best practices, making efficient use of resources and suitable technologies. Specifically, it will be undertaken through the following measures:
a.Protecting arable land from flash floods, mud slide and soil nutrient depletion.
b.Constructing and renovating irrigation channels.
c.Focusing on location specific technologies like water harvesting, drip and sprinkler and power tillers.
d.Irrigation in horticultural crops wherever relevant and feasible.
e.Promoting high yielding varieties of cereal seeds, vegetables seeds and saplings of fruit bearing plant to boost up the crop production and enhance rural income
Improving Access
It is recognized that the provision of proper access would not only ensure efficient transportation of agricultural inputs and products, but improve the delivery of extension services as well. While improved access provides connectivity, it further opens up potential production areas thereby giving increased income earning opportunities to those people living in isolated areas. Therefore, construction of farm and power tiller tracks, including access to information will be taken on priority.
Marketing
Enhanced production and access improves the cash income earning capabilities of the farmers. Therefore a paradigm shift from subsistence farming to market driven farming will be promoted through value addition and coming out with products for niche markets. Special emphasis will be made towards ensuring the marketability of high quality products. This shall be done through the following:
a.Constructing pack houses, collection depots and market sheds
b.Market awareness will be created through campaigns, study tours, fairs
and exhibitions
c.Formation of farmers group
Delivery of Extension Services
The efficiency and effectiveness of technology dissemination will be ensured through the following:
Focusing on location specific relevant programs and activities
Improving the use of print and audio-visual materials relevant to the clients
Improving the back-up and supervision of extension staff by competent supervisors
Coordinated and packaged delivery of credit, inputs and technology
Improving backward and forward linkages between farmers, extension staff and the RNR Research centers
Monitoring & Evaluation System.
Reporting Mechanism
The gewog field agents shall submit a quarterly report to the Dzongkhag office. The Report shall be clearly segregated and fed into the GNH format and AMEPP format at the Dzongkhag level. The staff co-ordination meeting shall be convened half yearly to review the progress in the field & find out problem/constraint while implementing activities and to solve it.
The progress reporting will done semi annually to the Dzongkhag Tshogdu, which is the highest decision making body in the Dzongkhag
Monitoring
The Dzongkhag office shall monitor the activities quarterly in the field as per the AWP&B and also assist the field extension agents in conducting the activities.
The Gewog authority shall constantly monitor the field activities with the extension agents.
The field extension agents shall monitor the progress of the activity such as promotional activity and capacity development and report accordingly to Dzongkhag office
Evaluation
The evaluation shall be conducted by the PFO khangma at the end of project period and end of 10th plan by department.
Annually, Agriculture Survey shall be conducted to evaluate the progress.
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