The Hon’ble Agriculture Secretary, Dasho Thinley Namgyel visited Trongsa and Zhemgang Dzongkhags on October 20 for a familiarisation tour to meet the RNR officials and understand the Dzongkhag activities and challenges.
In the morning, Dasho had a meeting at Trongsa with Dasho Dzongrab and officials from the Dzongkhag Agriculture and Livestock Sectors, BAFRA and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. In the afternoon, Dasho had a meeting at Zhemgang with Dasho Dzongdag and officials from the Regional Livestock Development Centre, Divisional Forest Office, Rural Development Training Centre, Regional Mithun Breeding Centre and the Dzongkhag Agriculture and Livestock Sectors. A brief presentation was made covering the background, mandates, major activities, key achievements, issues and challenges by the respective offices.
During the meetings, Dasho shared that “As a secretary, one of the main responsibilities will be to focus on pushing programs of the Ministry, departments and centres to relevant higher authorities and bridge the gaps.” He further stated that there will be full dependence on the technical experts in agencies for any technical matters.
Dasho instructed that any programs, projects and activities carried out or initiated, the sectors must prioritise for economic recovery and creating employment opportunities for youths, import substitutions and export promotion. “Every one of us must strive not to keep things pending and conduct at highest quality and standards for better accountability and continue to strive that the Ministry will be the backbone of economic stability,” he added.
Dasho informed that the Ministry will revive RNR-EDU, strengthen market led production and crop prioritisation as immediate actions. He also shared with the Dzongkhag officials about the recent initiatives such as incentive for market led production scheme, earlier known as a buyback scheme and up-coming plan for stray dog population management.
Dasho is currently on tour to Trongsa, Zhemgnag, Mongar and Bumthang from October 19-26. During the tour, he will visit ARDC-Wengkhar, NPHC-sub-centre, Wobthang and Phaitang Farms and meet with RNR officials among others.
-PPD and ICTD
