Renewable Natural Resources (RNR)Research Programme in Bhutan : An Overview

The objective of this paper is to give an overview of how the Renewable Natural Resources (RNR) research is being implemented in Bhutan. The RNR sector comprises mainly of agriculture, livestock and forestry sectors. Agriculture research in Bhutan initially started in early 1960s through the introduction of new crop and fruit varieties from Indian Agriculture Research Institutes. Thereafter, livestock and forestry research started in livestock farms and forestry research institutes, respectively. The first Agriculture Research Institute in Bhutan was established in 1982 which underwent various changes culminating into the present Council for RNR Research of Bhutan (CoRRB) in 2003. The Council is chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and the Director of CoRRB functions as the member Secretary of the Council. Four research centres with national and regional mandates located at strategic locations of the country were established to cater to the research and development needs of the farmers living in different agro-ecological zones. These centres are mandated to carry out research in the field of agriculture, horticulture, livestock, forestry and other cross cutting sectors of soils, plant protection, water management, meteorology, socio-economic studies. Apart from the Regional centres of research, there are sub centres where ever the area to be covered by the centre is large. The different departments also conduct research in consultation with CoRRB to avoid duplication of efforts. The main objectives of the RNR Research are to generate relevant technologies for the farming communities for ensuring food security and enhancement of rural income. These technologies are packaged as extension materials,news letters and journals for dissemination to farmers and all concerned stakeholders.Article信州大学農学部紀要. 46(1-2): 139-153 (2010)departmental bulletin pape

ブータン王国南部および西部地域における食用野生植物利用とその伝統知識に関する調査報告（第六次調査）

2005～2009年にブータン王国で実施してきた食用野生植物に関する調査に引き続き，2010年5月にブータン王国南部および西部の農村6か所および都市部の市場1か所等において調査を実施した。この結果，食用野生植物として42科86種の種子植物と3科8種のシダ植物を確認できた。聞き取り調査の結果，これら食用野生植物の中には健康効果および禁忌が信じられているものがあった。また，薬用植物についても様々な植物種が利用されていることが明らかになった。 To clarify the edible wild plant resources in Bhutan and to reevaluate traditional knowledge of their effect on human health, a survey was carried out in 6 farming villages and 1 urban market by researchers of Shinshu University and Ministry of Agriculture, Bhutan, in May 2010. A total of 86 edible wild plant species belonging to a total of 42 families of Magnoliophyta was determined. A total of 8 edible wild plant species belonging to a total of 3 families of Pteridophyta was also determined. Some of the wild edible plants are purported to be good for human health functionally and to be contraindicative for certain conditions. In the village of Sarpang prefecture,a total of 14 plants was determined as the medicinal plant. However most of them were not identified their species.Article信州大学農学部紀要 47（1-2）: 41-68(2011)departmental bulletin pape

ブータン王国南西部および北西部地域における食用野生植物利用とその伝統知識に関する秋季調査報告（第四次調査）

2005～2008年にブータン王国で実施してきた食用野生植物に関する調査に引き続き，ブータン王国の農村10か所，共有林１か所，市場１か所および農業試験場の試験圃場・林において調査を実施した。この結果，食用野生植物として33科66種の種子植物と４科13種のシダ植物が確認できた。聞き取り調査の結果，これら食用野生植物の中には健康効果が信じられているものがあった。しかし，シダ植物では健康に対する有益な効果よりむしろ，食用時の禁忌の方が多かった。また，南部では植物性油脂を利用する植物種もみられた。Article信州大学農学部紀要. 46(1-2): 31-53 (2010)departmental bulletin pape

ブータン王国東部および南東部地域における食用野生植物利用とその伝統知識に関する春季調査報告（第五次調査）

2005～2008年にブータン王国で実施してきた食用野生植物に関する調査に引き続き，2009年５月にブータン王国東部および南東部の農村６か所および都市部の市場2か所等において調査を実施した。この結果，食用野生植物として45科78種の種子植物と３科８種のシダ植物を確認できた。聞き取り調査の結果，これら食用野生植物の中には健康効果および禁忌が信じられているものがあった。また，ラン科のCalanthe plantaginea とスズラン科のTupistra wattii が，いずれも現地でWangpeim という同じ呼称が使われており，同名異種もしくは呼称が混同されている可能性が高い。Article信州大学農学部紀要. 46(1-2): 55-80 (2010)departmental bulletin pape

Agriculture and Usage of Natural Resources in Bhutan

Proceedings of Shinshu University International Symposium 2009 “Sustainable Coexistence with Forest - Dietary Usage of Wild Plants and Agriculture in Bhutan -”Bhutan is a small, landlocked and mountainous country with the geographic area of 38,394 km². Its population stands at 672,425 distributed over 125,115 households out of which 69.1% reside in rural areas. Agriculture is the dominant employment （43.6%） and main livelihood （79%） source. It contributes 26% of the gross domestic product. Based on the national poverty line （Nu. 740.36/month）, 31.7% of Bhutan's population is poor. Because the poverty in Bhutan is of rural phenomenon, agriculture sector has the major role in alleviating poverty. Therefore, the main goal of the Ministry of Agriculture for the 10th Five Year Plan （2008―2013） is poverty alleviation through research and development in agriculture and through sustainable utilization and management of natural resources. Bhutan's biodiversity is one of the richest in the world. Of the country's total area, 72.7% is under forest cover. The most abundant natural resource is timber, water resources and non―wood forest products （NWFPs）. In addition there are also a number of mineral deposits like gypsum, coal, etc. The most important natural resources for the majority of rural population are NWFPs. They are a major source for off―farm income, food, medicinal and aromatic products, fodder,fiber and also for local construction. Many of them are importantly traded commodities at local, national and international levels, providing employment and income at each level. The most importantly traded commodities are Cordyceps sinensis, Cymbopogan flexuosus, Tricholoma matsutake, Illiciul griffithii, Neomicrocalamus andropogonifolius, Swertia chirayita, Borinda grossa, Piper pedicellatum, Acorus calanus and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariifolia. Realizing the potential of natural resources, Bhutan's forest policies and Constitution of Bhutan strongly favour the conservation and sustainable utilization and management of natural resources. It is hoped that the important natural resources for the livelihood of rural community is sustainably utilized and managed for a long time.Article信州大学農学部紀要. 45(1-2): 33-42 (2009)departmental bulletin pape

Novel Human Bufavirus Genotype 3 in Children with Severe Diarrhea, Bhutan

We identified a new genotype of bufavirus, BuV3, in fecal samples (0.8%) collected to determine the etiology of diarrhea in children in Bhutan. Norovirus GII.6 was detected in 1 sample; no other viral diarrheal pathogens were detected, suggesting BuV3 as a cause of diarrhea. This study investigates genetic diversity of circulating BuVs