JICA Bhutan Office

20/05/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐲𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐔𝐇𝐅), 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐲𝐬, 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐃𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐠, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐖𝐢𝐂𝐨𝐌𝐏)

On 6 May 2026, the installation of the third Universal Hybrid Fence (UHF) was completed in Pangserpo Chiwog, Drujeygang Gewog, Dagana Dzongkhag, with the fitting of three gates and the verification of a power voltage.

Local farmers received hands-on training on 30 April 2026 conducted by the National Plant Protection Centre (NPPC), the Agriculture Research and Development Centre (ARDC) Bajo, JICA experts, with the cooperation of the Dzongkhag Agriculture Officers and the Gewog Extension Agent. Despite challenging weather conditions, nearly 700 meters of fencing was completed within a week.

This pilot site, located in a citrus-growing area, features improved specifications for better monkey control, including tighter mesh, additional poly wires and vertical lines on posts. These enhancements aim to reduce crop damage and boost citrus production, with potential for wider adoption.

19/05/2026

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐉𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 (𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓-𝟑 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡):

As a token of welcome, His Majesty the King of Bhutan, graciously presented the newly arrived volunteers with the national dress of Kira sets, which were handed over by Zimpon Wom (Dy. Chamberlain) Dasho Namgay Rinchen. The volunteers expressed their sincere gratitude for this kind gesture. JICA Bhutan Office extends our heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty the King for the unwavering support and encouragement provided to all our volunteers.

Our newly arrived JICA volunteers will be contributing to various sectors across Bhutan. Ms. Anzu Shibahara, Veterinarian, will be working with the National Veterinary Hospital, Department of Livestock, MoAL, Thimphu. Ms. Miharu Tsuruta, HPE Teacher, will work at the Changzamgtog Middle Secondary School, MoESD, Thimphu. Ms. Mihoko Ikeda, Lecturer, will be teaching Accounting and Management at the Royal Institute of Management in Thimphu, and finally, Ms. Nanami Morokuma, Nurse, will work at the Punakha Hospital, Ministry of Health, Punakha. We thank the new volunteers and look forward to an abundant collaboration.

18/05/2026

【世界日記 / World diary】 *English article follows after Japanese

「ブータンから現地活動レポート掲載のお知らせ」

＜隊員機関紙＞
日高隊員（宮崎県出身　看護師）
「ブータン隊員機関誌DRUK58 ④ 現地に来なければわからない、医療事情」公開中！ブータンの医療事情を説明します。
https://world-diary.jica.go.jp/JICA_Bhutan/cat4124/jocv_magazine_4.php

岩本隊員（静岡県出身　体育）
「体育隊員日記 #28 〜同僚との別れ〜」公開中！
https://world-diary.jica.go.jp/JICA_Bhutan/cat3960/post_62.php

古川隊員（千葉県出身　体育）
「体育隊員日記 #27 〜1年経過して起こった変化について〜」公開中！活動開始からの1年間を振り返ります。
https://world-diary.jica.go.jp/JICA_Bhutan/cat3960/26_1.php

yuta隊員（建築）
１．「路上観察 in ブータン＃1」公開中！ブータンの街にある不思議な風景に名前を付けると…
https://world-diary.jica.go.jp/JICA_Bhutan/culture/in1.php

２．「サインが伝統衣装！」公開中！ブータンのユニーク標識をご紹介！
https://world-diary.jica.go.jp/JICA_Bhutan/culture/post_63.php

３．「みなさんはリレーマラソンに参加したことはありますか？」公開中！
https://world-diary.jica.go.jp/JICA_Bhutan/activity/post_64.php

今後も現地からのリアルな声をお届けしてまいります。どうぞお楽しみに！

※Please note that this article is available in Japanese only.
We recommend using your browser's translation feature if you’d like to read it in English.

【World Diary】
Announcement: Field Activity Reports from Bhutan


Ms. Hidaka (Thimphu, Nursing)
“Bhutan JOCV Magazine DRUK58 (Part 4)– Healthcare Realities You Can Only Understand by Being There” is now available! Introducing the current state of healthcare in Bhutan.
https://world-diary.jica.go.jp/JICA_Bhutan/cat4124/jocv_magazine_4.php

Ms. Iwamoto (Chukha, Physical Education)
“PE Volunteer Diary #28 – Farewell to My Colleagues” is now available!
https://world-diary.jica.go.jp/JICA_Bhutan/cat3960/post_62.php

Ms. Furukawa (Trongsa, Physical Education)
“PE Volunteer Diary #27 – Changes After One Year” is now available! Looking back on the first year since the start of our activities.
https://world-diary.jica.go.jp/JICA_Bhutan/cat3960/26_1.php

Yuta (Architecture)
１．“Street Observation in Bhutan #1” Now Available!　What Would He Call These Mysterious Scenes in Thimphu?
https://world-diary.jica.go.jp/JICA_Bhutan/culture/in1.php

２． “Signs in Traditional Dress!” Now Available! Introducing Bhutan’s Unique Signs.
https://world-diary.jica.go.jp/JICA_Bhutan/culture/post_63.php

３． “Have You Ever Run a Relay Marathon?” Now Available!
https://world-diary.jica.go.jp/JICA_Bhutan/activity/post_64.php

We will continue to deliver genuine stories from the field. Stay tuned!

（↑配属先のイニシャルDoID入りのゼッケン）みなさんはリレーマラソンに参加したことはありますか？White Surf style 5.建築隊員のyutaです。日本の皆さんは今頃、GWの終盤でしょうか...

08/05/2026

𝙄𝙋𝘿𝘾𝙈 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙉𝙤. 39
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 (𝐓𝐂𝐏-𝐈𝐏𝐃𝐂𝐌)

06/05/2026

𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧

As part of “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵,” Japanese endoscopists have been invited to provide technical guidance on endoscopy to Bhutanese physicians at the JDWNRH. During their stay, they also visit hospitals in rural areas that perform endoscopic examinations to provide guidance to the physicians there. On April 21 and 22, the team visited Samtse General Hospital in southwestern Bhutan and provided technical guidance to Bhutanese physician performing endoscopic examinations over the course of two days.

It is hoped that this expertise provided by Japanese endoscopists will lead to improved early-stage cancer detection rates even in rural areas.

06/05/2026

𝐢𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩: 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

Under the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 (𝗶𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗽), which supports the improvement of fruit cultivation techniques in western Bhutan, JICA conducted a Country Focused Training Program in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, from 9 to 25 April 2026. Aomori Prefecture is one of Japan’s leading apples producing regions, well known for its advanced orchard management practices and high quality fruit production.

The training was attended by four agricultural technical officers from the National Centre for Organic Agriculture (NCOA), Yusipang and the National Seed Centre (NSC), Paro.

During the program, participants gained practical, field based experience, learning about nursery management, grafting techniques, orchard management, soil and nutrient management, and fruit quality improvement, with a focus on temperate fruit crops such as apples.

The knowledge and skills gained through this training are expected to contribute to the strengthening of fruit production and orchard management practices in Bhutan, supporting the sustainable development of the horticulture sector.

05/05/2026

🌍𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐏 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩: 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧’𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐀𝐋, 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 – 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 “𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐥”

“𝙒𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 ‘𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡’ 𝙩𝙤 ‘𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡.”

Following the 12th SHEP International Workshop held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Hon’ble Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Royal Government of Bhutan (MoAL) of Bhutan shared his perspectives on the SHEP approach in a full interview.

In the interview, he highlights the importance of starting with the market and notes that the SHEP approach offers a practical and relevant direction for Bhutan. When farmers make decisions based on market demand, what to produce, what is profitable, and where to sell, it can lead to more sustainable agriculture 🌱

There are also encouraging signs of this approach being taken forward at the policy level. Efforts include strengthening extension services by sharing SHEP concepts with extension officers, as well as promoting its integration into the college curriculum and working with development partners to scale up its implementation

📄 Read the full interview here:
https://canva.link/72u4vtmxqxtce7r

【𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐏?】
Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) is an approach that promotes "Market-Oriented Agriculture" and shifts farmers' mindset from "grow and sell" to "grow to sell." This initiative began in Kenya in 2006 and is now being implemented in 62 countries. In Bhutan, it started in 2020.

04/05/2026

The 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 (𝐉𝐂𝐂) on the 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 was successfully carried out at the conference hall of the Department of Surface Transport, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (DoST)

01/05/2026

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧: 𝐉𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐇𝐒 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

JICA Bhutan Office is honored to receive a 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 for its contributions to strengthening 𝗢𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 (𝗢𝗛𝗦) initiatives in Bhutan. The recognition was awarded by the Hon’ble Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment during the International Conference on Occupational and Environmental Health, held in Thimphu from 27–29 April.

The international conference organized by the Department of Labour, served as a meaningful platform for dialogue, learning, and collaboration, bringing together international participants and key stakeholders committed to safer and healthier workplaces. The Chief Program Officer also delivered a presentation highlighting the journey toward advancing OHS in Bhutan—sharing key milestones achieved, challenges encountered, and the collective efforts that have driven progress along the way.

30/04/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐲𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐔𝐇𝐅) 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐚, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐖𝐢𝐂𝐨𝐌𝐏)

On 25 April 2026, the installation of the second Universal Hybrid Fence (UHF) under the project was successfully completed in Dawaka and Dawanang villages of Towdwang Gewog, Punakha Dzongkhag.

The UHF comprises a chain link fence at the lower section, combined with electrified polywires at the top, effectively deterring not only wild boars and deer but also monkeys. It does not require concrete foundations, making it more economical, quicker to install and suitable for diverse terrain conditions.

With the strong leadership of local leaders and the enthusiastic participation of the community and hands support from the Japanese Project Experts, the National Plant Protection Center (NPPC) and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL), the installation was completed ahead of schedule. To enhance accessibility across the extensive agricultural land, around ten large and small gates were also installed along the fence.

Both the farming community and the Project Team are highly optimistic about the positive impact of the Universal Hybrid Fence and look forward to seeing tangible improvements in crop protection and agricultural productivity in the area.