Is food self-sufficiency a realistic goal?

With increasing rice imports, the deficit has stretched by 24 percent since 2012
Agriculture: With a food trade deficit of Nu 5.2B in 2013, food sufficiency still remains an arduous task for the country, as the deficit widened by 24 percent from 2012, mainly on account of increasing rice imports. Bhutan imported essential food items worth Nu 6.3B in 2013, according to the Royal Monetary Authority’s annual report, including Nu 1.5B worth of rice. The provisional trade statistics for 2014 also reveals that, from January to mid-October, rice imports shot up to Nu 1.45B. Rice imports, department of agriculture’s joint director, Ganesh Chhetri, said usually hovered around Nu 800M or around 50,000MT (metric tonnes) until 2011.

“People used fake bills, on account of rice import, to avail Indian rupees from the banks since 2012,” he said, attributing this to sharp increase in rice imports. The Anti-Corruption Commission, while investigating a case on illegal rupee repatriation last year, found that a paan shop in Thimphu had been regularly importing 20MT of rice. Yet, even without the bogus imports, the country’s rice self sufficiency rate was just around 50 percent. This, Ganesh Chhetri said, was because rice is the staple diet for Bhutanese, and its production is labour intensive.





However, the overall food self-sufficiency rate is over 80 percent and it is very comfortable, the joint director said. For instance, Bhutan exports huge quantities of potatoes.
“Bhutan was self sufficient in rice and it even exported to Tibet, which was bartered for salt,” he said, referring to the history, and adding that 95 percent of the population were from farming households those days. Now, rural-urban migration, he said, occurred so fast that it drained all the labourers from the villages and compelled the country to import more. “Our farmers are self-sufficient in rice, and they also grow additional rice for the urban lot.” The decreasing share of budget towards agriculture sector was also another reason; officials from the department said which lead to low investment in the sector and thus slow growth.  In the fourth Five Year Plan, agriculture sector was allocated 44 percent of the total budget and 33 percent in the following Plan. Since then it has been declining to the extent of 5.5 percent in the 10th Plan and 2.3 percent in the current one.

For rice production, irrigation was the main catalyst but, sadly, Ganesh Chhetri said, the level of government investment in the previous years was very low. But now, another official form the department said, in the 11th Plan, of the Nu 2.3B budget allocated for the department, Nu 1.6B was allocated for irrigation, and Nu 600M has been received so far. Around 12 irrigation schemes were completed since 2009 and in the 11th Plan, the agriculture department intends to construct an additional 42 new ones. Even with various initiatives from the department, officials said the rice self-sufficiency rate would increase at most to 65 percent. “The issue is not whether it’s possible or not to achieve self sufficiency, the issue is about sustainability,” he said. For instance, most farmers choose to cultivate other cash crops like potatoes, cardamom and apples instead of rice, because they earned more from the cash crops, which require less work. “Rice cultivation is back-breaking and there are few things, which can’t be mechanised and still requires labour,” he said. The only way forward, Ganesh Chhetri said, is to look at rice as a cash crop and let farmers earn more profit. But this too was difficult, because production cost of rice is too high, mainly driven by labour costs, that people still would choose to buy Indian rice brands. “This is where the government subsidy should come in, if food security is important,” he said, adding the production so far is thriving on farmers’ effort. Meanwhile, the trade statistics also reveal that Bhutan imported meat worth Nu 711M from January to October, last year. In 2013, meat imports stood at more than Nu 1B.

The import figure for vegetables in the same period in 2014 was Nu 1.8M against Nu 3.2M in the entire year of 2013. More than Nu 1B worth of dairy products were imported in 2013, against Nu 991M last year (January-October).


Tshering Dorji

SOURCE: KUENSELONLINE

Bhutan crew films Sikkim's first organic festival

GANGTOK/KOLKATA: A Bhutanese film crew is in India to capture the essence of organic villages in south Sikkim, renowned for its organic produce, which are being showcased at the maiden Nagi Pokhari Tourism and Organic Festival.

Sikkim has set for itself the goal of becoming an organic agricultural state by 2015.

The festival which began Wednesday in Nagi under Namthang-Rateypani constituency, in south Sikkim, is an initiative of of Nagi Tourism Development Committee to bring the place - a scenic lake and adjoining villages - to the forefront for domestic and international travellers.

"This is probably the first of its kind in India... it is the first in Sikkim. The constituency tops in terms of producing most of organic produce of Sikkim. It will highlight the organic agriculture of the state as well as the potential of the area for tourism since Nagi Pokhari (lake) is an unexplored spot, " Suresh Lama, media co-ordinator for the event told IANS over the phone.

According to Lama, traditional houses and stalls of each and every community of Sikkim nestled amid pine trees, will provide an authentic experience and knowledge on their food habits and culture.
Organic stalls will serve fresh produce of the south Sikkim constituency.



"Today (Thursday) the Bhutan Broadcasting Services (BBS TV) will film the organic villages. We appreciate what Bhutan is doing to enhance its organic farming sector and organic practices," said Lama.
According to reports, the Himalayan kingdom is keen to become the first country in the world to become wholly organic (food production) within a decade.

The festival will run till Jan 2 and is being widely promoted by personalities like former Indian soccer skipper Baichung Bhutia, Arjuna awardee Tarundeep Rai, Femina Miss India Kolkata 2014 1st runner up Zennlya Bhutia and others.


Apart from display of ethnic cuisines, cultural programs, trekking, bird watching, sports events, fashion shows are also part of the schedule.

SOURCE: THE ECONOMIC TIMES

Healthy RICE

Today I bought a packet of rice from South supermarket.
It looks like the golden rice. Some of our Golden rice scientists have been struggling with legal process to reach the rice to the growers, there is its replica already on the sale.

There is not much detail on the packet of the rice. But looks like the golden rice from all angle.
We will cook tonight and taste how it tastes.

The packet has the following information.

Fortified with B vitamins, Calcium and Iron.
The Healthy rice
Rice
Corn Rice
Lower Glycemic index and No Cholesterol
Naturally Rich in Beta Carotene, Lutein and Fiber. 
Masarap Na Kanin
2Kg Net weight.

 The back side of the packet mentions several benefits:
For Controlled blood sugar level, 
For good eyesight
For increased energy
Is Aflatoxin safe

 It further mentions:

Made from 100% natural Philippine grown corn. Vitamin enriched, No artificial coloring.

The corn rice is produced for : Philippine Leading Infinite Logistics INC. and Buy Pinoy save jobs.  Their address and phone number are mentioned in the packet. For recipes it gives a a website : WWW.rico-cornrice.com.ph

When can we have the golden rice in our plates?  

बेलडागीमा दशैं, युएनएचसीआरलाई आशिष

“...युएनएचसीआरले कुरा बुझोस

प्रकृया चाडै मिलोस

चाडै भूटान फर्किन मिलोस...”

यो बेलडाँगी तीन शिविरको सेक्टर ई-३ छाप्रो नं ४३का देविचरण आचार्याले दिने दशैंको आशिषको अंश हो। एकासी बसन्त खर्च गरिसकेका आचार्या दम्पतिको यो वर्षको दशैं टिका, जमरा र आशिषमै बित्यो।

देविचरण आफ्ना माईला छोरा लोकनाथको परिवारसंग बस्दैआएकाछन। उनका अरु आधा दर्जन सन्तान आ-आफ्नो परिवार सहित अमेरिका पुगेको धेरै वर्ष भइसक्यो। उनको तेस्रो मुलुक जाने प्रयास बिफल भएको छ। अब उनिसंग भूटान वा अमेरिका जाने सपना देख्नु र संयुक्त राष्ट्रसङ्घीय शरणार्थी उच्च आयोग (युएनएचसीआर)ले कुरा बुझीदेओस भन्ने आशिष दिनु बाहेक बिकल्प देखिदैन।अमेरिका पुगेका अरु भूटानीले जस्तै देविचरण आचार्याले तेस्रो मुलुक पुनर्वासकालागि निबेदन दिए र आधादिन अन्तरबार्ता पनि दिए। अन्तरवर्ताको क्रममा सम्झनामा लपेटेको आठदशक लामो अनुभवको पोको खोले। पोकोबाट जे जे निस्कियो त्यही त्यही भने। यस्तै एउटा अनुभव भने जुन आचार्या दम्पति र अमेरिका बिच आग्लो बन्यो।

हकिकतः देविचरण आचार्या युवा हुँदा उनका पिता देवनारायण अचार्ज भूटानमा दानाबारी ब्लकका मंडल (ब्लक प्रमुख) थिए। मंडलको एउटा प्रमुख कार्य हुन्छ आफना ब्लकका रैतीलाई गोङडाहुल्ला (प्रत्येक वयस्क रैतीले सरकारलाइ तिर्नु पर्ने निशुल्क, अनिवार्य श्रम, प्रति वर्ष दुई महिना) मा पठाउनु। गोङडाहुल्ला अन्तरगत रोड खन्ने, दरवार बनाउने जस्ता कष्टकर काममा श्रमदान दिनुपर्छ। सो काम गर्नजानेले आफै खाने, बस्ने, यात्राको बन्दबस्त गर्नुपर्छ। गोङडाहुल्लामा जानेहरु कति उतै मर्छन कति घाईते, रोगी, अपाङ्ग भएर फर्किनछन। सरकारले कामको आवश्यकता अनुसार मंडललाई आदेश दिन्छ, मंडलले गाँउ गाँउ, घर घर गएर सरकारको परिपत्र पढेर सुनाउछन र गोङडाहुल्लाको मिति, समय, स्थानको जानकारी दिन्छन। उनका पिता सरकारी परिपत्र सुनाउन गाँउ घुम्दा देविचरण पनि साथ गएको र यस कार्यमा सहयोग गरेको अनुभव सुनाए। यहि कार्यले गर्दा अमेरिकी कानुन अनुसार उनि पिडक बने र अमेरिका छिर्न प्रतिवन्धित भए।

अमेरिका र युएनएचसीआरले यो बुझिदिए हुने थियोः भूटानको तानासाहीतन्त्र भित्र मंडलहरु पनि पिडित थिए, पिडित छन र पिडित हुन्। भूटानमा राजनैतिक प्रणाली सुधारको आन्दोलनमा गोङडाहुल्ला हटाउनु पर्ने माग पनि सुचिमा थियो। यो आन्दोलन दबाउन सरकारले लखेटेका लाखौं जनतामा सयौ मंडल, सांसद र तिनका परिवारजन पर्दछन्।

देविचरणको छाप्रो भन्दा केहि पर बेलडागी २ ई-३ छाप्रा नं ४० का खडानन्द भण्डारी (५३)को स्थिती फरक छ। उनि फगत एक्लै छन। उनका छोरा छोरी, श्रीमती, आफन्त मानिने सबै अमेरिकाको बिभिन्न ठाँऊमा पुनर्वास भैसके। उनको दैनिकी गोवर खोजेर घर लिप्ने, पानी र अन्न जो गर्ने, खाना पकाउने, भाँडा माझ्ने र पूजापाठमै सिमित हुन्छ।

जुनबेला उनका परिवारजनले तेस्रो मुलुक पुनर्वासकालागि निबेदन दिए त्येसबेला उनले कुरो राम्ररी बुझ्न सकेनन्, अमेरिकामा उनको धर्म र सँस्कृतिको सम्मान देखेनन्, उनि तेस्रो मुलुक पुनर्वास हुन मानेनन्, उनले परिवारलाई रोक्न सकेनन् र परिवारले उनलाइ लान सकेन। आज उनले धेरै बुझिसके र परिवारजन सँगको बिछोडले गलिसकेका छन। यस घडीमा उनको चेतनाबृदि र ईच्छा बुझिदिने र निवेदन सुनिदिने न कोहि छ, न सहयोग गरिदिने नै।

गल्तीः यो गल्ति कसको होः उनले समयमा कुरा बुझ्न नसक्नुको वा उनलाइ बुझाउन नसक्नेको?

बेलडागी २ सेक्टर सी ३ छाप्रा नं ६३ का टी आर रेग्मी, भूटानका एक समयका सांसद हुन र सामड्रुप-जोङखरका जन प्रतिनिधी थिए। भूटानको राष्ट्रिय सभामा आप्नो कार्यकालको बिचमै निर्वासित हुन पुगेका-त्यसैले उनलाई भुतपुर्व सांसद भनिदैन, रेग्मी भूटानमात्र फर्कन कम्मर कस्ने समुहका एक अगुवा हुन। हाल उनि शारिरिक रुपमा अस्वस्थ छन। सफा सुरुवाल, गन्जी र ढाका टोपी भित्र हाडछाला मात्र छ। शरिर सुकेर तौल बीस किलोमा झरेको छ। उनको बोलीलेमात्र उनकोसाथ छोडेको छैन, पहिले जस्तै धारा प्रवाह बोल्छन। स्वस्थकै कारण उनले लेखिसिध्याउनै लागेको भूटानको ईतिहास लेखनमा अल्पबिराम लागेको छ।

युएनएचसीआरलाई बिन्तिः सांसद टी आर रेग्मीको स्वस्थ स्थिति नाजुक भैसकेको छ। प्राय सबै शारिरिक बिरामीहरु एकान्त चाहान्छन र हीडडुल मनपराउदैनन् र सक्दैनन्। सांसद रेग्मी को हाल यस्तै छ। यस्ता सिकिस्त बिरामीहरुलाई झन्झटिलो प्रकृयामा नगइ, परिवार वा अभिभावकको सिफारिसमा, छिटो छरितो तरिकाले उद्धार गरिदिनु भए एक विद्धवान् अग्रजको कल्याण हुनेथियो।

माथीका स्थिती भूटानी शरणार्थी शिविरका प्रतिनिधी परिदृश्य मात्र हुन। प्रत्येक छाप्रोमा धेरै बिकराल स्थिती छ जुन विषयमा युएनएचसीआर अवगत छ। धेरैको मुखबाट सुन्नमा आएको तर यथेस्ठ प्रमाण नभएको विषय घुसखोरिको छ। सामान्य देखि जटिल स्थितीमा प्रकृया अघि बढाउन घुस दिनु पर्ने बाध्यता रहेको अप्रमाणित टिप्पणीहरु सर्वत्र ब्यप्त छन शिविरभित्र र शिविरबाहिर। युएनएचसिआरले पुनर्वास भइसकेका भूटानीहरुबाट तथ्य संकलन गरेर, भविश्यमा हुने घुसयन्त्र हटाउनसके एक प्रतिष्ठित संस्थाको छविमा दागलाग्ने थिएन।

शिविरको संख्या घटे पनि युएनएचसीआरले समहालेको जिम्मेवारी र सामना गर्नु पर्ने चुनौतीमा केहि कम नभएको हुनसक्छ। शिविरभित्र अव्यवस्थित बाख्रा, सुंगुर, कुखुरा, हाँस, खरायो पालन, अनियन्त्रित झार जंगल, पुराना झुप्राहरु ठुलै रोग संक्रमण वा बिपतको श्रोत हुनसक्छन। यस्ता अनेकौ जटिलता निराकरणको क्षमता युएनएचसिआरमा भएको सर्वविदितै छ। ठुलठुला समस्याको समाधान गर्दै जाँदा, असक्क्षम, सिमान्तकृत, एक्ला, दुर्बल, रोगीहरुमा पनि समयमै ध्यान पुगोस। वृद्ध देविचरण आचार्याको आशिषको यहि अर्थ हुनसक्छ र उनले दिएको आशिष लागोस।

गोबिन्द रिजाल,  govindarizal@gmail.com

eKantipur   pdf

Nature

Visit to Norwich and Manchester

2014-07-28: To Norwich from Oxford
2014-07-29/30: Norwich, Newphytologist workshop
2014-07-30/1 Aug: Manchester

Typhoon "Glenda" passes; effect remains

We had an adventurous night on 15th July 2014. Typhoon 'Glenda' (Rammasun) passed through Central Philippines showing its strength and mercy. Nature used its high pressure typhoon randomly for several hours to clean its area of influence. In our surrounding some big trees have fallen down, many have lost their branches and leaves. The remains have blocked roads too. Several trees are uprooted. They have blocked the roads in several places. Both big and small houses are affected. A lot of leaves and small branches are around PVA and safe apartment are green with leaves and still look beautiful from outside. There is NO electricity, internet, or telephone. Water supply has resumed. I cleaned the surrounding and cleared the drain in front our apartments. No human casualties were reported in our area. National channels report 20 to 30 casualties in Urban Manila. Now the residents are busy cleaning their areas. The are will will look more beautiful in the days to come.

A lot of houses on the roadside have lost their roofs and walls.  Many of the facilities at IRRI are damaged too. Some coconut and other trees have rested on the ground. Rice field looks unaffected- they make the rice institute proud. Screen houses at BG area are damaged too. 

After the internet resumes, perhaps  we can send you some photographs. It looks everything is over for now. There is no electricity. So we wake up with the sun and retreat when it sets. We have candle light dinner.
To me its reminding of my childhood days. I had some bright experiences in between. As long as there is water, its fine. Things will get normal soon and we are normal always.