Mongar: The need for capable human resources is an essential component in both public and private service delivery. BAFRA under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests is gearing towards attaining such an objective by providing quality human resources development for our field personnel utilizing our own available experts.
A week long Integrated Training on Biosecurity Management and Promotion of Food Safety is underway from 29 November to 4 December 2021.
About 23 BAFRA officials from various regions including Pemagatshel, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Lhuentse, Zhemgang, Bumthang and Mongar are attending the training. They will be trained on multi-sectoral discipline such as food, livestock and plant which are vital components of biosecurity and food safety of Bhutan.
The training started with focus on food business licensing and management of import and exports of RNR products in pursuit of achieving BAFRA’s mandate in protecting the health of plants, animals, humans and the environment.
Apart from the biosecurity and food safety responsibilities, BAFRA has a substantial role in trade facilitation to access and coordination in the international markets. However, BAFRA is grappling with intrinsic issues with shortage of staff, limited budget and wider area coverage.
This intensive training which is a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic expertise is expected to develop competence in non-domain expertise through multitasking to provide undisrupted service for Bhutanese importers and exporters.
Dr Tashi Samdup, the Director General of BAFRA graced the opening session enroute to visit BAFRA offices in the eastern Dzongkhags to motivate staff to continue their hard work and professionalism in delivering their services at any given time. Addressing the participants, he emphasized on the need to work as a team and advised them to think from the system’s perspective for a holistic development. He further added to be astute and maintain professionalism while performing duties.
The training amid the COVID19 pandemic situation is supported by EU-RDCCRP and coordinated by the Ministry’s PPD.
Submitted by Plant Section, BAFRA
