Training on Vegetable Production and Management to farmers

Zhemgang Field Office in collaboration with the Ngangla Gewog (block) RNR Extension Agriculture Office and Panbang Organic Vegetable Group organized six-days training on Vegetable Production and Management to members of the of three vegetable groups of Ngangla Block under Panbang sub-district from 6^th till 11^th July, 2014. It is a part of ADB funded project on “Improving Gender-Inclusive Access to Clean and Renewable Energy in Bhutan”. Its objectives are to train 35 farmers on basic book-keeping, organic components and pest management aiming at product improvement and income generation.

As part of in-house class, the farmers were educated on important concept, opportunities and affordability of low-cost organic farming. There were also informed on the negative impacts of using chemical fertilizers and geo-pesticides in the long run.

They were trained on basic book-keeping – maintaining minutes of the meeting, attendance register, monthly saving book, sales records, payment receipts and bills, stock register and single-entry cash book.

As a part of practical activity in the field, the farmers got hands-on training on:

–          preparing bio-pesticides from garlic brew mixing with garlic and cow-urine,

–          liquid-manure mixing with Artemisia (green grass) with cow-dung and cow-urine,

–          preparing heap-compost by mixing with dry and green grass and cow-dung and

–          preparing Vermi-Composting by raising earthworm.

Outcomes: 

The program could train 36 farmers comprising 18 women and 18 men. The farmers who participated in the training were of view that the training has immensely benefited in understanding the concept, opportunities and affordability of organic farming. They were happy that they got hands-on training on many new concepts, including the book-keeping training which can help them in their marketing their farm products. It was the first training of such for them and they hoped for similar trainings in future too.

Challenges:

About three percent of farmers were more than the targeted aim. However, farmers from Mushroom Group under Phangkhar Gewog could not attend the training due to heavy rainfall.

The closing of the training was graced by Mr. Thekchung Karchung, Dungpa of Panbang sub-district. Dasho Dungpa informed the farmers that RSPN has conducted the right training on right time as Panbang has lot of potentials on vegetable productions. Thus, he shared that they are very grateful to RSPN for the same as it will immensely benefit the poor farmers in generating income for their better livelihoods.

RSPN would thank all the stakeholders and donors for their generous support.