15 March, Thimphu: The Million Fruit Tree Plantation (MFTP) is a vision of His Majesty the King to enhance farmer’s income and nutrition. It is supported through the De-Suung National Service. Its objective is to introduce technically suitable diverse high value fruit crops to enhance income of the rural households. The initiative will help 140,827 rural farming households throughout the country to plant at least one million fruit trees.
To Mark this initiative, Hon’ble Sanam Lyonpo accompanied by MoAF Secretary offered 6 almond plants early in the morning to Lingkana palace symbolizing Gyalsey’s Birth anniversary.
The launching of the million fruit tree plantation was graced by Hon’ble Sanam Lyonpo Yeshey Penjor as the chief guest at Yoeselpang. Also present in the event were Director General of De-suung office, Zimpon Wom; HM Secretariat, Dasho Dzongda, officials from agriculture ministry, De-suups, gewog officials led by gewog thrizin and the public of Yoeselpang.
During the inauguration, the participants planted some 42 seedling on three farmer’s field symbolizing 42nd Birth Anniversary of His Majesty The King. The seedling comprised of almond, peach, pear and walnut. The seedling was distributed based on farmer’s interest and considering the land holding.
The De-Suung National Service will be undertaken by the De-suups. They will partner with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Local Governments, and other relevant agencies. Around 233 De-suups who have been trained in land preparation for fruit tree plantation and management will now lead 1,334 De-suups for planting 439,804 temperate fruit trees and 1,991 De-suups for planting 560,495 subtropical fruit saplings across the country. The program will also skill De-suups in fruit crop management. Each saplings will be geo-coded using smart App Mobile Operation & Data Acquisition to monitor the care and growth.
The launching ceremony was jointly organized by the Dzongkhag Administration, Thimphu, National Center for Organic Agriculture (NCOA) Yusipang, and the Chang Gewog Administration.
Reported by Tashi Yangzom with pictures by Choidup Zangpo, ICTD
