Bhutan Delegates visits Central Agricultural University, Ranipool, Gangtok

Gangtok 8 June Twelve member team headed by DNR-RDC (PRO) Government of Bhutan, Mr. Sengay Phub lead by Deputy Project Manager, ATMA, FS&ADD, Government of Sikkim Dr. Narendra K. Gautama, visited the College of Agricultural Engineering and Post Harvest Technology (Central Agricultural University) Ranipool, Gangtok on June 8, 2011. With a brief welcome by In Charge Dean Dr. P.C. Senapati appraised the delegates about the teaching, research and extension education activities of the College. The faculty members introduced themselves with their areas of specialization too. Whereas the Head of the Department of Farm Power and Machinery Dr. SK Rautaray, briefed the research and development programmes of the College covering the Intramural Research Projects (IRPs), All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) on APA, ESA, FIM, PHT, RES and UAE and Value chain on Aromatic Crops under National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP).

Furthermore Dr. Rautaray impressed upon the engineering interventions considering the site specific limitations those have been taken up to develop improved equipment and technology for mechanization of hill agriculture including soil and water engineering, post harvest engineering and technology and renewable energy gadgets to be energy efficient and cost effective. Dr. Rautaray adding more informed that the basic approach is to equip the human, animal, mechanical and electrical power sources and renewable energy gadgets to enhance the output per unit.Furthermore the delegates even visited different laboratories, workshop, research projects, experimental farm, library, computer laboratory and agricultural technology information centre (ATIC). Many useful interactions and discussion emerged out of the visit and those were attended by the scientists of the College.Whereas the feed back from the visitors showed that agricultural practices in Bhutan closely relate to the practices followed in Sikkim agriculture and it therefore indicated the possibility of link-up research and development and extension education programmes to be useful by sharing and exchange of knowledge and information