Farmers and SJI staff visited Community Gene Bank – ‘Buli Sanam-Nyamsung-Detshen’ in Nangkor Gewog under Zhemgang Dzongkhag. The group is using the Gene Bank to conserve organic seeds of locally grown crops. It is the first if its kind in Zhemgang. It will be officially inaugurated on 22nd May 2018.
Zhemgang Youth Cooperative Group – ‘Khengrig Namsum Cooperative’ has 16 members who are all out of school youths. The group was formed mainly to promote and market local products from Kherig Namsum. Currently, they sell banana chips, bamboo shoot and chilli pickle etc… SJI will be selling their products in Samdrup Jongkhar from its outlet which is going to be opened by the end of this month.
The team also visited Agriculture Research & Development Centre, Samtenling including model farms in Gelephu.
Exchange visits offer a bundle of benefits, well beyond just acquiring information. The chance to look behind the scenes, to get acquainted with real people, understanding their problems and achievements, can create inspiration to keep working and launch new initiatives in achieving our common goal.
