The “Bhutan Seedlings” is thrilled to participate in the "Round Table Meeting (RTM)" from 09/10/2024 to 10/10/2024 about the “SEEDS SYSTEM” organized by the National Biodiversity Center(NBC), Wangchuktaba, Thimphu at Professional Development Center (PDC) of Royal Audit Authority (RAA), Tsirang.  NBC has been coordinating the implementation of Biodiversity Opportunities for Livelihood Development (BOLD) –Work Package 3 on the Seed System Research Project. Participants from various agencies and institutions such as the Department of Agriculture (DoA), Agriculture Research and Development Centers (ARDCs), Agriculture Research and Development Sub-Centers, National Seed Centers (NSC) and Sub-Centers, Districts Agriculture Sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO- Tarayana), and Community Based Seed Growers (Samdrup Jongkhar Initiatives, Tsirang Seeds Group), and Private Sector has participated for the program.

The Crop Trust supports the project through the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). The research is being implemented in collaboration with the College of Natural Resources (CNR), Royal University of Bhutan, and NSC under DoA and with technical support from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.

Objectives of RTW were:

1. To present the draft Seed System Research Report by the Research Team from NMBU, NBC, CNR, NSC

2. To solicit feedback on the draft Report of the Seed System Research

3. Finalize the Seed System Research Report using the feedback from the stakeholders

4. Start the co-development of the Concepts for the Main Project proposal to Strengthen the Seed System in Bhutan using the Final Report.

The two-day-long program was chaired by the Chief Agriculture Officer of Agriculture Research and Development Division (ARD), DoA, MoAL along with the Technical Resource Person from the NMBU, Norway,  Professor Ola Westengen and Mr Wang Gyeltshen, Sr. Lecturer, CNR, RUB, Lobesa, Bhutan.

The Draft Research Report on Seed System in Bhutan, jointly prepared by NMBU, NBC, CNR, and NSC based on social study surveys and group discussions with distinguished seeds-related individuals, communities, agencies, and private entities across the nation, is being tabled for further necessary validation, which would contribute to our country's policy level in the future.

Further, the participants have worked –out in three different groups and proposed in the following fields to strengthen and strategize the seed system in the country which will enable in formulating the Seed policies through the outcome of project’s report;

•           Variety evaluation and release/management potentials,

•           Link back to seed sector development and identify farmers’ needs, and

•           Capacity development

 Bhutan Seedlings being one of seed related stakeholders and actors in Bhutan, we are extremely thankful for opening the platforms to share our little knowledge and experiences gained so far in the field of seed systems in Bhutan. Therefore, we would like to extend our utmost gratitude to NBC for believing in us and an invitation to this very important noble initiative.