Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Sharchokpa juice’ to hit market stands soon


The ‘Sharchokpa juice’ produced in the east is on its way and headed to the country’s markets from Shumar in Pemagatshel.
In street lingo Sharchokpa juice refers to a variety of home-brewed alcohol often produced and consumed in excess in the eastern part of the country.
And this time round, it is not the ‘proxy juice’ but the real orange squash which the Dungsam Gongphel Tshogpa have started to produce for the first time from 2 November  in Pemagatshel this year to produce orange pulp.
The tshogpa’s idea fortunately was harmonious with the potential of the dzongkhag in mandarin production. The soil and climatic condition, the altitudinal range favored the boom of healthy citrus trees which promised a good yield every harvest season.
The tshogpa members believed that such initiative could greatly benefit and help orange growers in the area to earn good money. Ultimately all factors gave birth to the farmers’ group called Dungsam Gongphel Tshogpa.
Their idea received further boost when the National Post Harvest Center (NPHC) and the Pemagatshel Dzongkhag Agriculture sector, chipped-in to establish a small fruit processing plant called Integrated Fruit Processing Plant (IFPP). The plant managed by the group, directly benefitted orange growers as they could sell farm produce to the plant rather than carry it to the market.
As planned, the plant started to function and bought small-size oranges for the purpose of pulping. The group paid farmers Nu 6 per kg for the small size oranges.
Unfortunately and unpredictably for the tshogpa things have currently started to go a bit awry.
A main reason for this was because the farmers did not on many occasions supply the small oranges to the plant and effectively it ceased to function. Rather than selling oranges to the group, farmers or orange growers in the area chose to take most of their produce either to the market or auction yards in Samdrup Jongkhar to sell in bulk to orange exporters, with whom they usually could bargain better prices.
The raw materials required to keep the plant running, became erratic and inconsistent.
The problem consequently choked the plant and it almost became a thing of the past except for the majestic building which housed the plant where there was hardly any activity inside.
In the midst of imminent despair a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of the agriculture ministry (MoAF) intervened through agencies such as the NPHC, Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (DAMC).
The ministry realized that farmers could greatly enhance their cash income through establishment of such farm-based agro processing facility.
With the expertise at their disposal, these agencies came through as a savior for the plant as they started analyzing the problems and find ways to make the juice factory roar back to life.
One definite and valid solution was to link this small scale production house with the Bhutan Agro Industries Limited (BAIL) at Wangchutaba, Thimphu.
With such linking in place, the market for pulp was secured and the plant could go ahead with orange juice production. DAMC supported the farmers’ group with equipment required for orange squash production worth Nu 3mn.
This is in addition to the technical assistance provided by the NPHC.

Study underway to help maintain nomads back home


The decline in number of yaks grazing by the patch of pastureland at the base of snow-capped mountains has been a cause of concern for the livestock department under Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF).
With increasing members of the nomadic community moving to urban centers, only few are left at home to carry on the tradition of yak-rearing. The department attributes such decline in yak farming to the increased incomes of the nomads due to the Cordyceps and more education the youths are receiving.
In the past, the wealth of a household was measured by the number of yaks they owned but this trend has now reversed.
The government has also realized that besides keeping the tradition of yak husbandry alive, these highlanders also play critical role to safeguard the country’s sovereignty. Their presence in the high altitude mountain ranges in the borders, often considered hostile for living has prevented encroachments.
With decreased yaks, the amount of yak products like chugo (hard cheese) and butter have started to become less and less in the market. Hence, the product is losing its popularity making it difficult for the herders who are already lack-luster about the sale of such products.
But, all hope is not lost. The livestock department will make a much called-for intervention through numerous initiatives which include diversifying the nomads’ products and put-up value addition to the existing products.
The yak cheese production at Haa which started last year is one such initiative.
Dzongkhag Livestock Officer (DLO) in Haa, Loden Jimba who is closely involved with the study, said the cheese production was meant for substituting chugo with high value products. He said that the nomads didn’t have such support from government to venture out with such schemes till date but now with the full support the nomads are able to venture into good business.
He said the officials from the Department made herd-to-herd visits and trained 20 nomads to boost their potential for dairy products.
However the DLO said that the nomads are still in need of the department’s assistance. Once they are confident, they will venture on their own.
“The cheese production encourages herders to rear more yaks and reduces the need to sell yaks,” said Livestock Extension supervisor, Sangay Dorji.
The program was implemented at Layna and Nubri herds where seven herders of Talung village and three herders of Nubri, Paro engaged the herds at Gomthang, Sep, Nubri, Gep, Layna, Judula, Larey and Kerela.
The production of Gouda rather than hard cheese was chosen since it fetched more returns. In addition, it is known that Gouda cheese has a safer shelf life compared to other types of cheese.
The cheese was produced by individual herds and stored at the cellar at Layna where curing and fermentation takes place. The cheese are then transported to Haa main cellar Chumpa where curing continues till the product is marketed and consumed.
“After having proven that it pays them better to produce Gouda cheese, the herders were convinced of many comparative advantages,” Dairy focal person, Tandin Wangchuk said. “Now, they are willing to continue the technology.”
Most of the herders are ready to take up the technology without the technical backstopping from the experts.
The program will be further strengthened and permeated to other herds in the gewog and to Eusu and Katsho gewogs as well. The product diversification like pasteurization of cream, production of soft cheeses and modification of improved cheeses with taste and flavors will be continued. Officials said there are lots of scope for herders to link with the tourism council to have yak shows and product marketing.
The products will be marketed to the hotels at Thimphu and Paro due to lack of market in local areas. The dzongkhag livestock sector of Haa has seemingly discussed with Tashi-Taj Hotel in Thimphu.  “The hotel management has promised to take minimum of three kgs of cheese per week throughout the year,” said dzongkhag livestock officer, Loden Jimba said.

Syringe wielding teacher earns compulsory retirement for his misconduct


The Dzongkha language teacher Tshokey, of Budhashi Community Primary School under Goshing gewog, Zhemgang, has been sent on compulsory retirement effective from November 20, 2012 after an internal investigation by the Ministry of Education confirmed that he had used a syringe to poke students.
The decision was made by Human Resource Committee (HRC) of the Ministry of Education (MoE) during their recent meeting.
The issue of the Dzongkha teacher poking multiple students with the same medical syringe was first brought to light by this paper in an issue on 17th October 2012, generating public outrage and also concern for the students.
Subsequently the MoE sent an investigation team headed by the District Education Officer which interviewed several parents and students and confirmed the use of the syringe. A report on the issue recommending compulsory retirement was sent to the MoE.
The errant Dzongkha teacher will now have to quit his job with immediate effect and end his career as a contract teacher but he can walk away with certain entitlements like his gratuity under the National Contract Teacher Agreement (NCTA).
The HRC found that the teacher had breached the National Contract Teacher Agreement in punishing students by poking them with a syringe.
Medical personnel from the Dzongkhag are currently in the school and are doing a thorough check up of the students to check for any potential diseases transmitted by the same syringe used to poke many students.
MoE officials said that if any future complications arise due to the actions of the teacher, the government will take care of the students. “The government will bear all medical expenses and the treatment will be done with full support from the government,” said a HRC member.
According to the World health Organization, the use of an unsterilized syringe on multiple occasions can lead to the possibility of dangerous diseases like HIV Aids, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Further medical literature showed that students are at risk of contracting Sepsis and can die through air bubbles.
According to one of the members of HRC, the official report by the investigation team has confirmed that such a mode of punishment was used. “Although his intention was clear, yet the means of punishment was very barbaric and there is no way the Ministry can protect such employee,” he said.“Although the HRC committee delved on the issue intensively, we went by the recommendation,” he said.
The issue first cropped up when one of the parents of affected child complained to local authorities this year. The issue was brought to the notice by parents expressing their concern over such an unethical and dangerous punishment. They said that if it continued unabated, it would risk their children contracting diseases.
Parents alleged that only four out of 80 students in the school were spared the syringe. Accordingly, the gewog authorities dispatched the Tshogpa of the affected chiwog to confirm such allegations. The Tshogpa reported back confirming that the punishment of students, by poking them with the same syringe, has been going on for some time.
This paper ran the story on October 17. All the parents of the victimized children, The Bhutanese talked to unanimously agreed and stood their ground about the teacher using the syringe. In addition to the parents local authorities including the Tshogpas of two affected chiwogs and the gewog Gup confirmed all the facts.
The MoE team visited the school in question, verified the accusation by taking statements from Principal, affected parents and local government authorities.
They also verified the accusation on basis of the evidences present in the form of physical marks and wounds.
After completion of the investigation and having found that the accusation booked against the teacher was true, they submitted the report to the concerned authorities. In the report, they spelt out all charges and possible reprimands.
Hailing from Trongsa, Tshokey was recruited in two years ago in 2010 under ‘Light Drukyul Project’.

Syringe wielding teacher earns compulsory retirement for his misconduct


The Dzongkha language teacher Tshokey, of Budhashi Community Primary School under Goshing gewog, Zhemgang, has been sent on compulsory retirement effective from November 20, 2012 after an internal investigation by the Ministry of Education confirmed that he had used a syringe to poke students.
The decision was made by Human Resource Committee (HRC) of the Ministry of Education (MoE) during their recent meeting.
The issue of the Dzongkha teacher poking multiple students with the same medical syringe was first brought to light by this paper in an issue on 17th October 2012, generating public outrage and also concern for the students.
Subsequently the MoE sent an investigation team headed by the District Education Officer which interviewed several parents and students and confirmed the use of the syringe. A report on the issue recommending compulsory retirement was sent to the MoE.
The errant Dzongkha teacher will now have to quit his job with immediate effect and end his career as a contract teacher but he can walk away with certain entitlements like his gratuity under the National Contract Teacher Agreement (NCTA).
The HRC found that the teacher had breached the National Contract Teacher Agreement in punishing students by poking them with a syringe.
Medical personnel from the Dzongkhag are currently in the school and are doing a thorough check up of the students to check for any potential diseases transmitted by the same syringe used to poke many students.
MoE officials said that if any future complications arise due to the actions of the teacher, the government will take care of the students. “The government will bear all medical expenses and the treatment will be done with full support from the government,” said a HRC member.
According to the World health Organization, the use of an unsterilized syringe on multiple occasions can lead to the possibility of dangerous diseases like HIV Aids, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Further medical literature showed that students are at risk of contracting Sepsis and can die through air bubbles.
According to one of the members of HRC, the official report by the investigation team has confirmed that such a mode of punishment was used. “Although his intention was clear, yet the means of punishment was very barbaric and there is no way the Ministry can protect such employee,” he said.“Although the HRC committee delved on the issue intensively, we went by the recommendation,” he said.
The issue first cropped up when one of the parents of affected child complained to local authorities this year. The issue was brought to the notice by parents expressing their concern over such an unethical and dangerous punishment. They said that if it continued unabated, it would risk their children contracting diseases.
Parents alleged that only four out of 80 students in the school were spared the syringe. Accordingly, the gewog authorities dispatched the Tshogpa of the affected chiwog to confirm such allegations. The Tshogpa reported back confirming that the punishment of students, by poking them with the same syringe, has been going on for some time.
This paper ran the story on October 17. All the parents of the victimized children, The Bhutanese talked to unanimously agreed and stood their ground about the teacher using the syringe. In addition to the parents local authorities including the Tshogpas of two affected chiwogs and the gewog Gup confirmed all the facts.
The MoE team visited the school in question, verified the accusation by taking statements from Principal, affected parents and local government authorities.
They also verified the accusation on basis of the evidences present in the form of physical marks and wounds.
After completion of the investigation and having found that the accusation booked against the teacher was true, they submitted the report to the concerned authorities. In the report, they spelt out all charges and possible reprimands.
Hailing from Trongsa, Tshokey was recruited in two years ago in 2010 under ‘Light Drukyul Project’.