Project News

Five officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests who are counterparts of JICA's technical cooperation project, "Integrated Temperate Fruit Crops Promotion Project" participated in the JICA online training of "Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP)" Approach as Market-oriented Agriculture Promotion from 22nd to 26th August 2022 as the first week.

This project is challenging to change "Grow and Sell" to "Grow to Sell" by promoting temperate fruit crop, and horticultural vegetables that have a short production period.

On the first week, participants learned about the background of Japanese Agriculture System, an overview of the SHEP approach, and had presentations on Extension System in the Participant's Countries.

Mr. Jamyang, who is in charge of agricultural marketing, has recognized the importance of Bhutanese farmers knowing the information held by the market and buyers. Mr. Sangay, who works for promotion of agricultural production, presented that the introduction of agricultural machinery is also necessary to make up for the shortage of labor force in rural areas and encouraging the youth to be engaged in agriculture as an issue of Bhutan.

While learning many case studies, participants have begun to discuss how to implement the SHEP approach into their own Bhutanese system. Participants enjoyed the scenery and atmosphere in Obihiro, where this training is being conducted in Japan, through PC screen and they are highly motivated to learn how to practice the SHEP approach following the second week that starts from 5th September.