Back D. B. Rai
National Institute of Education, Paro, Royal Government of Bhutan
Abstract
In order to provide increased impetus to the existing traditional natural farming system, the Asia-Pacific Natural Agricultural Network (APNAN), Bangkok has established a Project in 1995 to provide technical and material support in developing nature farming activities specially by using Effective Microorganisms (EM) in many ways. The established Nature Farming Project is based at Semtokha (near Thimphu) which produces EM solutions regularly and supplies to the various Institutions, farmers and other users. In order to popularize the use of EM technology effectively among teachers and students, a short course on EM Technology has been introduced in the syllabus of National Institute of Education (NIE), Paro where the concepts are explained to the students in the classroom and the practical/demonstration classes are taken out in the fields. So far EM has been tested in mushroom for hygienic production and control of odour, for field production of bean and tomato and as an odour suppressant in toilets. Though its popularity is limited to few users, it has to be expanded to a wider community through advocacy and practical demonstration.