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  • Training on Genetically Modified Organism’s (GMO) Food Safety Assessment and Risk Communication held

    Posted on by Keshav Gurung

    23-27 July, Thimphu: The training Program on “GMO Food Safety Assessment and Risk Communication” was organised by Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA), Ministry of Agriculture and Forests with Financial and Technical support from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

    With enactment of Bio-safety Act of Bhutan 2015 and Bio-safety Rules and Regulations 2018, BAFRA is mandated to implement and enforce activities related to GMO. While it is understood that biotechnology provides potentially powerful tools for the sustainable development of agriculture, fisheries and forestry, as well as the food industry, there is a concern it may pose potential risks on human and animal health and the environment. As such, this training on GM food safety assessment is essential to assess risks posed by GM food and feed, should there be an import of food/feed derived from GMOs.

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  • MoAF releases the RNR Statistical Framework 2018 (RSF 2018)

    Posted on by Keshav Gurung

    The Ministry of Agriculture and Forests releases the RNR Statistical Framework 2018 (RSF 2018), which shall be the guiding document for all statistical activities within the domain of RNR Sector. The need for reliable, timely and credible RNR data is ever increasing, because more than 60 percent of the Bhutanese population depend on RNR sector for their livelihood. In view of the predominant position of the RNR sector, the collection, analysis, validation, dissemination and storage of RNR statistics assume great importance. Therefore, right information, in the right form, at the right time is needed to make informed decisions and policy formulation.

    The main objective of the RNR Statistical Framework is to generate reliable, quality and timely RNR statistics for evidence-based decision-making by streamlining statistical mandates, strengthening coordination mechanisms and promoting use of appropriate methodologies. The RSF 2018 is published by the RNR Statistics Division (RSD) of MoAF after being reviewed by RNR Statistics Technical Working Group (RS-TWG). Finally, the RSF 2018 is approved and endorsed for implementation by the RNR-GNHC, the apex decision-making body in the MoAF.

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  • Addendum to MoU for Hazelnut Plantation signed

    Posted on by Keshav Gurung

    The Ministry of Agriculture and Forests and Mountain Hazelnut Venture Limited (MHVL) have signed an Addendum as a clarification to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on July 16 for plantation of hazelnuts in Bhutan. Originally, the MoU was signed with the FDI company on 29 May 2009 that paved a way for MHVL to start plantation.

    The Addendum was signed to revise the price and agree on the land use protocol. Additionally, protocols for carbon credit sharing and the use of fertilisers and chemicals (in extreme cases) in line with the organic vision were formulated.

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