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1 March 2005- Improving rural livelihood through better management of natural resource system and promotion of information technology in the rural areas is the focus of two new projects agreed upon between the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada and relevant sectors of the Bhutanese government.

      Mr. Roger Finan and Nima Wangdi finalise the agreement

The “Memorandum of Grant Conditions” for the projects was signed between the regional director of the South Asian Regional office of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, Mr. Roger Finan and the Director General of the Department of Aid and Debt Management, Nima Wangdi.

Through a grant of US$ 400,000 over three years, the director of the council for renewal of natural resources research of Bhutan, Pema Choephyel, said besides improving natural resource management, the first project will also look into improving livelihood and the food security situation of rural households in Bhutan.

“The idea is to look at how communities can be involved more effectively to promote sustainable management of natural resources,” he said.

“This project will look to make the community more responsible.”

Water and soil management, cultivation and production of local products like bamboo and cane, lemon grass, mushrooms and cordyceps will be selected as research sites to carry out the projects to show proper use and management of resources.

According to the deputy director of the department of information technology (DIT), Sangay Wangchuk, the second project, with a grant of US$ 350,000 over two years, will conduct research and develop relevant content and applications for rural communities in the ICT field. The project will also pilot the use of Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) technology to reach out to the remote settlements.

The director explained that WiFi technology would be applied to promote access to information as fixed lines are very expensive and near impossible in the rough terrain.

For this, the director said that villages with about 50 households, having power supply and with telecommunication backbone facility would be chosen to carry out the project. “We want to show the people how effective it is to get information and government services done effectively through such technology,” he added.

Meanwhile, a 12-member delegation of board of governors of the IDRC is in Bhutan for a five-day visit to get a first hand experience of the IDRC assisted programmes in Bhutan.

IDRC’s assistance to Bhutan started in 1984 and since then has supported numerous projects in agriculture and IT sectors. Through its Pan Asia networking program, IDRC assisted Bhutan to create Druknet in 1999 as the country’s internet service provider.

By Karma Choden
kchoden@kuensel.com.bt

2005-03-01

News 18 of 50