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With the establishment of the Centre for Agricultural Research and Development
(CARD) at Bajo, Wangdue in 1982, research work on staple field crops was
initiated. The Centre was renamed in 1994 as the Renewable Natural Resources
Research Centre (RNR-RC Bajo) to take account of its expanded mandate to
cover RNR research. The Centre is located at Bajothang (Bajo) Wangdue Phodrang
at an elevation of about 1300 meters above sea level (masl) on the banks
of Puna Tsang Chhu in the Wangdue-Punakha valley system. The Centre has
a 62 acres research farm. Some of the basic facilities have been upgraded
with the construction of a new administrative cum laboratory building and
a general operation building. The centre has a library with small collection
of literature and is connected with 265kbps leased line internet connection.
The Centre mainly focused research in the past on rice, wheat, oilcrops
and vegetables. Major research emphasis has been on germplasm improvement,
production management, soil nutrient management, cropping patterns. On-farm
research has been emphasized for further fine tuning of the technologies
generated on the station or borrowed from outside. Good linkages are being
maintained with extension system of the nearby Dzongkhags through on-farm
trials and training programs organized for the extension. To further foster
the strengthening of linkage, a unit called Extension Program office established
in the centre since 1998 has been re-designated as the Regional Research
Communication Office (RRCO). To cater to the needs of the clients Dzongkhags
efficiently and conduct research befitting the climatic aspects of humid
sub-tropical zone of Tsirang and Dagana, the sub-centre at Mithun in Tsirang
was formally opened in July 2005. The sub-centre has an area of about
35 acres research farm.
To be able to fully support the regional requirements, the Centre has
initiated from 1994 additional research activities on sub-tropical fruits,
feed and fodder in livestock, and in agro-forestry. From 1997, a Water
Management Research program has also been started.
RNRRC Bajo receives technical support and improved germplasm from IRRI,
AVRDC, CIMMYT, ICRISAT, ICARDA, CIP and a number of other regional agricultural
institutes. The centre is supported by 50 staff which comprises of 11
Research Officers, 30 Research Assistants and 9 Administrative and support
staff.
The RNR Research Centre at Bajo has two mandates:
? National Mandate
RNRRC Bajo is mandated to co-ordinate the National Field Crops Research
Program. Management of the national mandate is primarily a co-ordination
function to ensure that the research activities carried out under a particular
program in different RNR-RCs are consistent with the national and regional
priorities, are not duplicated and are interlinked. The Co-coordinating
Centre is also expected to provide technical support to other RNRRCs.
? Regional Mandate
The primary regional mandates are to undertake RNR research relevant to
the region that it serves in all the research program areas, and to backstop
regional extension activities. The task of ensuring co-ordination between
the regional activities of the national programs and their effective implementation
is the responsibility of the RNRRC. Accordingly, the RNRRC West-Central
Region has the regional mandates to undertake relevant research for its
client Dzongkhags of Gasa, Punakha, Wangdue, Dagana, and Tsirang.
RNR RC, Bajo is guided by the following.
Vision
• To become a dynamic center of excellence for topical Renewable
Natural Resources Research, leading to enhanced knowledge for RNR management
and conservation
Mission
• To develop appropriate RNR technologies and facilitate their dissemination
to improve the livelihood of rural populace while ensuring environmental
and resources sustainability
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