Tarayana Foundation, an implementing partner to WFP for the BRECSA project funded by IFAD and GAFSP, and administered by Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Royal Government of Bhutan has successfully conducted four days of hands-on training on key thematic areas of agriculture production for Agriculture Officials and Sanam Jabchorpas of the project target Dzongkhags from 24 to 27 May 2025 at Gelephu Gewog Conference hall, based on the valuable suggestions and recommendations pertaining to received from Dzongkhags.

The main objective of the training was to enhance the capacity of Dzongkhag Agriculture Officers, Gewogs Agriculture Extension Officers and Sanam Jabchorpas on thematic areas of agriculture production such as hydroponic and nutrient management, mushroom production, poly house and soil management, and establishment of model nutrition garden.

The program featured expert-led sessions, including straw mushroom cultivation by Mr. Dawa Penjor (Mushroom Specialist), hydroponics nutrient management by Ms. Kinley Wangmo (Proprietor, Bhutan Hydroponics), and crop and soil management within polyhouses by Mr. Kinley Gyeltshen and Mr. Yeshi Zangpo from ARDC Bajo. A model nutrition garden was also presented by Mr. Chhimi Dorji (Director, Tarayana Centre for Research and Development), Ms. Chimi Wangmo (WFP), and Mr. Jigme Lhendrup (PMU). In addition to the technical sessions, participants visited various field sites to witness cutting-edge farming practices in action. These included greenhouse automation and motivation initiatives at Shompangkha Gewog, smart drip irrigation systems, commercial dragon fruit farming, hydroponics in Dekling Gewog, mushroom cultivation in Samteling Gewog, and demonstrations of rapid soil testing techniques.