The National Plant Protection Centre (NPPC) in collaboration and with funding support from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) recently held a one-day awareness workshop on key wheat diseases and the Rust Early Warning System for the Agriculture Extension Officers of three major wheat-growing dzongkhags of western Bhutan: Thimphu, Paro, and Haa. The workshop took place on July 23, 2024, at the Metta Resort in Paro Dzongkhag.
The program was chaired by the NPPC’s Program Director and attended by 23 participants, including 2 from Haa, 6 from Thimphu, 10 from Paro, and 3 from the NPPC.
The main objectives of the workshop were to educate Extension Agents about major wheat diseases, raise awareness, and establish networks for early warning information dissemination. The workshop was conducted to integrate theoretical and practical elements, followed by discussions on the presentations and way forward.
Theoretical sessions covered major wheat disease identification, disease scoring, the functioning of the early warning system, and the generation of advisory bulletins. Practical sessions focused on executing disease surveillance using ODK applications and sample collection procedures.
The workshop concluded with discussions on how to disseminate advisory information generated by disease models during the wheat growing season to reduce crop losses due to wheat diseases.
The Rust Early Warning System delivers near-real-time risk forecasts to governments, enabling proactive responses to wheat diseases. By enhancing national surveillance and fostering collaboration, it supports global food security through effective management of wheat rust diseases. Initially implemented in Ethiopia, the system is expanding to Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
