𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐬

By Chimi Dema

Spearheaded by the Tarayana Foundation, a total of 33 farmers and community members of Yangbari and Bagla under Gongdue Gewog in Mongar underwent a bamboo shoot processing training this week.

A similar training was also conducted for 12 community members of Remadu village under Bjoka Gewog in Zhemgang and for another 44 participants in Nagor Gewog, Mongar.

The initiative is implemented by Tarayana Foundation under the project “Integrated Bamboo Based Development Among SAARC Countries” with fund support from SAARC Development Fund.

The Foundation is also conducting numerous rural-based trainings including the ‘Heap Composting and Integrated Pest Management’ which are being conducted in small groups across select gewogs in the country.

In addition, the Foundation is also carrying out a project on “Collaboration regarding promotion of homestead nutrition garden and expansion of lead farmers model in the program areas,” and is implemented in four districts of Lhuentse, Mongar, Trashigang and Pema Gatshel, with fund support from International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (CARLEP-IFAD) through Agriculture Research and Development Centre (ARDC) based in Wengkhar, Mongar.

In August this year, awareness on kitchen garden and preparation for winter crops was conducted for Rotpa, Nimzhong and Lingabi community members in Lhuentse. Furthermore, Tarayana facilitated the planning of orchard development for pear and passion fruits along with the community members of the three villages.

Some other activities conducted so far under this project in the four districts are; Installation of electric fencing, promotion of protected production of vegetable, promotion solar dryers and low-cost greenhouse and promotion of improved chili nursery production techniques.

Further, the Foundation also supports initiatives on dryland irrigation, promotion of integrated fruit orchard, training of youths on repair and maintenance of power tiller and promotion of off-season vegetable production as some of their immediate and ongoing activities.