Background
The NCOA started as a Horticulture research Station in 1969 focusing on adaptive trials on apple and temperate fruits. The program has come a long way and it is now the largest program under the NCOA covering a vast range of crop species and commodities viz: Fruits & Nuts, Vegetables, and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants. All the three components of the Programme are very important and play crucial roles in the livelihoods, nutrition and income generation of the farming communities. Given the predominant subsistence nature of farming in Bhutan, attributed mainly due to small and scattered landholdings, farmers usually grow an integrated range of crops to meet their needs. Fruit plants, vegetables, and Medicinal and Aromatic plants are a common sight in most villages of the temperate zone of Western Region falling under the jurisdiction of NCOA. Adaptive research following the principles of organic farming focuses on production management aspects is our key focus besides germplasm which include soil fertility, plant protection. Activities are carried out under the broad themes of Germplasm Development, Production Management and Promotional activities across priority commodities in order to generate technologies and disseminate to farmers.
Vegetables
The Horticulture program of the NCOA has the mandate to coordinate Research and Development for Vegetables and Hydroponics at the National level. In addition, NCOA has been mandated to lead tomato, cole crops and edible stems research and be the pool of expertise on these crops at the National level. However, the activities are not limited to just these crops since NCOA also implements research and development activities on all other vegetable crops that are being coordinated by other research centers.
Fruits and Nuts
The Horticulture Programme is mandated to coordinate Research and Development for Apple commodity besides conducting activities on other fruits and nuts crops including sub-tropical fruit species. The focus is primarily on temperate fruits and nut trees germplasm evaluation and production management aspects under organic farming system and propagation methods. Besides, production of selected temperate fruit trees planting materials for the million fruit trees project has been mandated for the region.
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
The centre has herbal garden consisting of a large number of medicinal and aromatic plants that is maintained as a learning ground for domestication purpose as well as serve as a repository for learning for visitors, farmers and students from all over the country. Organic production management aspects of culinary herbs and MAPs, evaluation of medicinal plants such as Ginseng, Paris Polyphylla and water wasabi to name a few are some examples of ongoing activities.
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