The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Owing to the need to get everybody on board of its mission and goals, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF) has launched the Renewable Natural Resources (RNR) Professional Development Programme (RNRPDP) for its field staff.
According to MoAF, the objective of the initiative is to make the RNR field staff well acquainted with the policies, plans, programs, projects and priorities of the ministry and various departments and agencies.
Likewise, it is also expected to help in working out the modalities among various departments and agencies in the ministry, and help to gain exposure to high level meetings, workshops, its conducts, minutes keeping and report writings. And even familiarize on new developments and new RNR technologies.
MoAF minister, Yeshey Dorji, said there have been cases where some of staff placed in eastern Bhutan or the staff serving in remote parts of the country have not been in Thimphu in about 30 years. “For them, we are giving them the opportunities, so that they will be placed at their respective headquarters in the capital, to learn the functions of their departments and agencies,” the minister said.
So far, MoAF has successfully conducted six batches or 102 employees of the ministry completed RNRPDP. An agriculture official said, “This program is important to have in the departments and agencies because we will know how our respective department functions.”
A participant said, “It is useful and has helped me to broaden my knowledge which can be applied in the field and can shared with other colleagues in the field.”
“We will also know how the planning is going with agencies or department or we can be familiar within staff and other respective heads,” he added.
Chief Human Recourse Officer, Khampa Tshering, said that the program could be encouraged in other ministries because it is like a skills development program. “There is a need for an equal mix of lectures and field knowledge, and possibility of cross learning will take place with other departments and within a ministry.”
Meanwhile, Lyonpo Yeshey Dorji said the initial duration of the program was one month, but upon feedback from the staff, it was reduced to 2 weeks so it does not hamper with their respective work.
He added that all the sub-sectors, such as agriculture, forestry and different departments of the agencies have made presentations on the program. “And even RCSC agreed with the program and acknowledged it,” he said.
