Dec-13 Vol. 13-27 JICA schemes Grant Aid Loan Technical Cooperation Projects Training Programmes Development Studies Emergency Disaster Relief Follow-up Cooperation Volunteers Program JICA members in Bhutan as of December 2013 JICA office staff: 17 (8 internationals; 9 nationals) Experts: 6 Senior Volunteers: 16 JOCVs: 28 JICA target areas in Bhutan Agriculture and Rural development Infrastructure development Local governance Social services development (health, education and IT) Ms. Yumiko Asakuma, Chief Representative of the JICA Bhutan Office visited JICA assisted agriculture development programs in the eastern region from November 24 to 28, 2013 accompanied by JICA Experts, counterparts from RNR RDC Wengkhar and Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector. The six eastern dzongkhags of Samdrup Jongkhar, Pemagatshel, Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse, Mongar and Lhuntse fall under the project for Horticulture Research and Development (HRDP) started in March 2010. Reviewing the results of the Agriculture Research and Extension Support Project, the current project is focusing on development of horticulture including trial marketing sites, strengthen farmers’ associations, prepare teaching materials, implement training at the RNRRDC-Wengkhar, facilitate farmer to farmer extension, develop production system for seed and seedlings and select nursery farmers for strengthening production of seeds and seedlings. A One-Stop-Farmers’-Shop was constructed at Orong under Samdrup Jongkhar, for farm business. The shop was established under the HRDP on a cost sharing mechanism with labour contribution from the Community and managed by a 31 member farmers group - Orong Vegetable Production and Marketing Group. Technical Assistance and marketing supports were also provided by the Regional Agriculture Marketing Office at Mongar. Ms. Asakuma and Dasho Goling Tshering, Dzongda of Samdrup Jongkhar jointly inaugurated the shop on Nov 26, 2013 admist a gathering of local agriculture officials and farmers. While on the tour, the Chief also visited the Private Nurseries at Mongnang Khola near Khaling (Trashigang) and Mixed fruit Orchards at Morong (Samdrupjongkhar), and Rongthong (Trashigang) and Yurbi (Lhuentse) established under the Technical Cooperation Project – HRDP. A 2 km Chumeygang – Yurbi Power Tiller Track constructed by HRDP JICA was also inaugurated by the Chief Representative. In Phuntshothang under Samdrupcholing Dungkhag, the Chief Representative and Dasho Goling Tshering, Dzongdag of Samdrup Jongkhar attended the Inauguration of the Farm Machinery Support Centre (FMSC) Phunsthothang organized by the Agriculture Ma- chinery Centre (AMC), Paro and Regional Agriculture Machinery Centre, Khangma. The FMSC Phunthsothang established by utilizing the counterpart fund from project “Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers” by AMC, in collaboration with Dzonkhag, Dungkhag and Geog Administration will now be able to provide sales, repair and maintenance services for the four geogs of Phunsthothang, Samrang, Martshala and Pemathang benefiting some 1,385 households on these geogs. The opening of the centre will also be able to provide services to the ongoing Agriculture Machinery Hiring Services initiated by the Dept of Agriculture Chief Representative JICA Bhutan Office visits Samdrupjongkhar, Pemagatshel and Lhuentse to observe JICA assisted Agriculture Programs JICA Bhutan Newsletter is a monthly newsletter published by the JICA Bhutan Office and updated electronically on the JICA Bhutan website. It serves to better link all JICA Bhutan partners by offering briefs and current news on different sectors of JICA and the RGoB. It is for information purposes only and is not an official document. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of JICA. To join our e-mail based subscription, please contact at <[email protected]>. Your comments and feedback are welcome.