Category: News

From September 16 to 22, 2024, Ms. Tipparat Pongthanapanich, Aquaculture Officer from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) based in Bangkok, undertook an official visit to Bhutan. During her stay, Ms. Pongthanapanich conducted site tours of key facilities, such as the National Research and Development Center for Riverine and Lake Fisheries in Haa, a private trout farm, the National Development Center for Aquaculture in Gelephu, and Bhutan’s largest carp farm in Taraythang, operated by a woman entrepreneur. In Dagana, she engaged with emerging young entrepreneurs and visited several aquaculture farms, providing expert advice to enhance productivity and sustainability.

Ms. Pongthanapanich also outlined potential avenues for FAO’s collaboration in supporting the establishment of the Tsangkha Chirrup Commercial Fish Farm, particularly through the initiation of Technical Cooperation Projects (TCPs). These programs would facilitate targeted technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening Bhutan’s aquaculture sector. Furthermore, she provided key insights into overcoming sectoral challenges and reaffirmed FAO’s unwavering commitment to supporting Bhutan in achieving its fish production target of 250 MT per annum by the conclusion of the 13th Five-Year Plan.

Ms. Pongthanapanich concluded her visit and departed Bhutan on the evening of September 22, 2024.

Reported by: NDCA, Gelephu

September 17, 2024: The Department of Livestock has completed a 4-day coordination meeting at the Tsirang Professional Development Centre (PDC), aimed at strengthening staff capacity in the e-Government Procurement (e-GP) system and the Government Information Management System (GIMs). This meeting, which began on September 16 and concluded on September 20, 2024, has convened 27 participants from 23 centers across the Department of Livestock.

The meeting was officially inaugurated by the Director, who addressed the participants via a virtual platform, underscoring the critical importance of enhancing staff proficiency in these systems to improve administrative and operational efficiency. The objective was to minimize errors, optimize system utilization, and promote effective collaboration among administrative personnel and technical officers (acting ADM), particularly for those less familiar with these platforms.

The first three days were dedicated to the e-GP system, followed by a session on GIMs on the final day, providing participants an opportunity to discuss and clarify system functionalities while receiving updates on new procurement and human resource regulations.

The Department anticipates that this meeting will significantly enhance its operational capabilities and looks forward to the successful implementation of the knowledge and skills gained during this important program.