17 March 2025: On the sidelines of the Bhutan Conference: Climate and Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Development – Policy, Investment, and Innovation, organized by the College of Natural Resources (CNR), the Hon’ble Sonam Lyonpo, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock H.E. met with key representatives from leading International Research Centres.
In attendance were:
– Yvonne Pinto, Director-General, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
– Fred Unger, Regional Representative for Asia, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
– Dr. Dave Hudson, Director, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
– Kalpana Sharma, Senior Scientist, International Potato Center (CIP)
– Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMIOD)
The meeting focused on potential areas for collaboration in agricultural research, particularly in the development of key staple crops such as rice, maize, wheat, and potatoes, as well as livestock production. The discussions emphasized improving agricultural productivity, strengthening food security, and adapting to the challenges posed by climate change.
