Category: Biodiversity News

On the 27 th of January 2023, a one-day consultation meeting was held at Punakha Kabjisa Geowg
Centre with the people of Petari Chiwog for the revival of Pangtse Oil Production. Petari chiwog
is famous for its age-old tradition of producing oil from symplocus paniculate (Pangtse) using
traditional and cultural methods. However, the national newspaper Kuensel reported in 2018, that
the Community of Petari is no more benefiting from Pangtse Oil, they have started removing the
existing plants from their fields, Pangtse trees affects the productivity of agricultural crops, the oil
production is tedious with low return and Pangtse oil production was hampered by imported
cooking oils, which are not only cheap but also available in different brands. National Biodiversity
Centre (NBC) being the institution for the conservation and sustainable utilization of such a
resource had taken the news into account and explored the funding support for the revival of
Pangtse Oil production in the chiwog and the funding support was rendered by UNDP SGP and
Royal Government of Bhutan.

The consultation meeting was organized by NBC. The objectives of the meeting were to make
budgeting and financial reporting transparent, to allocate the budget and plan the activities as per
the people’s needs in the production processes and to develop a draft bylaw for Petari Pangtse
Group as such types of gatherings will be not allowed due to elections later.
The Centre talked about the Background of the Project and the importance of conserving such age-
old traditions. The Gup, Mangmi and Agri Extension said they are very happy to receive such
support from the Centre to revive the dying art (Pangtse oil Production) and will render full
support for the project. A representative from BAOWE shared their hand on experience regarding
Pangtse oil production in the Chiwog. BAOWE has also shared their willingness to work together
whenever needed. Then, the Centre presented them with the project’s timeline, work plan and draft
bylaw. The people of the chiwog were very happy for getting support and said that they will
support the project.

A total of 27 participants participated in the consultation meeting, NBC was represented by
Program Director and other Officials, Kabjisa Geog Administration by Gup, Mangmi and Geog
Agriculture Extension Officer, Bhutan Association of Women Entrepreneurs (BAOWE) by the
Project Coordinator and the People of Petari Chiwog. The meeting came to an end.

Background

9^th to 16^th January 2022: In continuation of on-farm crop diversity inventory on 7^th January and germplasm collection at Kengkhar from 8^th to 12th January, and as a part of the regular germplasm collection program of the Genebank, the National Biodiversity Centre in collaboration with Gewog Agriculture Sector of Phongmed Gewog, Trashigang Dzongkhag conducted Crop Diversity Inventory on the 9^th January 2023 and germplasm collection from 10^th to 15^th January 2023 at Phongmed Gewog, Trashigang Dzongkhag.

The meeting was attended by 13 participants participated by Gup, Adm and 11 farmers
 farmers consisting of 9 male and 2 female farmers representing different Chiwogs viz. Phongmed, Thongrong, Lem and Yabrang, Phimsong.

1. Introduction to biodiversity, agro-biodiversity, and crop diversity:

The farmer participants were first introduced to the concept of biodiversity, and agro-biodiversity and then delve down onto crop biodiversity using the pictorial power point slides. Then the farmer participants were presented with various rationales on the importance of crop diversity using the pictorial power point slides. Farmers were also informed of the trend and various developments in the global arena when it comes to crop diversity.  Participants were also informed of the various efforts being put in place by the government in securing diversity in the gene bank and also maintain on-farm diversity.

2. Inventory of crop diversity being cultivated in Phongmed Gewog:

Education and awareness were followed by inventorying of crops and varietal diversity being cultivated by the farmers of Phongmed Gewog.

The on-farm crop diversity inventory revealed the existence of a total of 55 crops viz. Amaranth, Avacado, Azuki bean, Banana, Barley, Beans, Buckwheat, Canna, Cardamom, Carrot, Chayote, Chili, Chinese pepper, Chive, Colocasia, Corriander, Cucumber, Finger millet, Garlic, Ginger, Groundnut, Guava, Hazelnut, Maize, Mango, Mustard, Mustard green, Slipper gourd, Onion, Orange, Pea, Peach, Pear, Perilla, Persimmon, Plum, Pomegranate, Potato, Pomelo, Pumpkin. Quinoa, Radish, Rice, Ricebeans, Soybean, Sugarcane, Sweet potato, Tapioca, Tomato, Tree tomato, Turmeric, Turnip, Walnut, Wheat, Yam etc consisting of about 120 varieties across 55 crops.

On-farm crop diversity Inventory revealed that the cultivation trend of 19 varieties was increasing, 75 stable, and 26 decreasing.

Unfortunately, a very high number of 16 crop varieties were reported to have been lost or extinct. Asu bara, Zu bara, Yangra, Chera, Guntsung, Phenang, Yarmo, Roba badam, Namjur, Mem serbu, Kho bando, Shingkhomin, Badam zemu, Ngera bara, Asham balingmin. Gagpu balingmi etc. There are numerous reasons for the decline in cultivation trends or loss of certain crops that have been documented.

3. Germplasm collection

After enlisting the crop diversity being cultivated in Phongmed Gewog, donor farmers/custodian farmers were identified for different crops for which the seeds are currently available. Two staff stayed back and a total of 57 germplasm samples were collected for the selected crops and crop varieties from those identified donor farmers/custodian farmers from 9^th to 16^th January 2023. These germplasm samples will be processed following the Genebank standards.

Background

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023).  The IYM 2023 is to raise awareness of, and direct policy attention to the nutritional and health benefits of millets and their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions. It is also to promote the sustainable production of millets while highlighting their potential to provide new sustainable market opportunities for producers and consumers.

Millet Meeting at Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag

As a part of the celebration of the International Year of Millet and monitoring the field works at Bomdeling, a Dzongkhag-level meeting was convened on the 17^th of January 2023 at Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag. The meeting was attended by 15 participants comprising Dasho Dzongdag, Dzongkhag Livestock Sector, Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector, Dzongkhag BAFRA, ARDSC Khangma, Regional Post Harvest Centre, Bomdeling Gewog Chairman, Farmer representatives of millet group of Cheng and Phenteng, AEOs of Bomdeling and Yalang and National Biodiversity Centre.

Crop diversity in Bhutan

Bhutan is rich in crop diversity including millet diversity. Crop diversity is an important subset of biodiversity. Crop diversity is the variability in genetic and phenotypic traits that are found in cultivars grown by the farming community. Crop varieties may vary in height, branching pattern, flower colour, fruiting time or seed size, fruit colour, grain colour etc. They vary in their response to different bioclimatic variables and may have the ability to resist specific diseases and pests. It is possible to discern variation in almost every conceivable trait, including nutritional qualities, preparation and cooking techniques, and of course how a crop tastes. Growing crop diversity means having food diversity, nutritional diversity, good health, contributing to food security and climate change adaptation.

Apparently, there is very rapid genetic erosion and loss of crop diversity from the field. Therefore, as a part of in-situ or on-farm conservation and sustainable utilization of millet diversity for livelihood, National Biodiversity Centre in partnership with other important stakeholders viz. ARDSC Khangma, Regional Post Harvest Centre Lingmethang, and National Organic Flagship Program are making interventions at Bomdeling and Yalang Gewog under Trashi Yangtse Dzongkhag towards enhancing millet production and value addition and marketing of millet products.

Why millets? Health benefits and climate resilient crop

• Millets are nutrient-dense, non-glutinous, excellent source of minerals like magnesium, Iron, phosphorus, potassium, Vitamin B like thiamine.
• It reduces blood pressure
• It decreases cholesterol: Finger millet is full of dietary fibre, which helps to control the “bad” cholesterol that can contribute to heart diseases. So, it is connected to lower risk of heart disease.
• Finger millet has a low glycaemic index -releases a lower percentage of glucose over a long period of time.
• Dietary fibre in millet is “prebiotic,”
• Regarded to be the least allergic
• Potassium plays an important role in proper functioning of kidneys and heart
• Potassium helps nerves transmit signals, which allows brain & muscles to work together smoothly.
• B vitamins play a role in everything from brain function to healthy cell division for growth & repair of body cells and tissues
• Millet consumption furthers nutrition, good health, food security and climate change adaptation

Objectives of collaborative initiatives

1. Enhance millet production
2. Build capacity of the community in millet value addition and product development
3. Develop and diversity millet products
4. Create market and marketing
5. Contribute to income generation of the community from millet products
6. Maintenance of crop diversity by farmers to conserve diversity at all levels viz. genetic, species and ecosystem level
7. Contribute in climate change adaptation and farming system resilience.

The outcome of the Millet Meeting

1. Appraised Dzongkhag administration all the support provided by different actors and stakeholders viz. NBC, ARDSC Khagma, and National Post Harvest through Organic Flagship etc.
2. Identified key issues and rationale for not being able to move forward as envisaged.
3. Agreed on Action points to be implemented by different actors viz. farming community, Geewog Administration, Dzongkhag administration, ARDSC Khangma, National Biodiversity Centre, BAFRA and Regional Post Harvest Centre to move forward to make the millet products marketable by June 2023.