Farmers in Bhutan live and work under diverse socio-economic and agro-ecological co nditions. Within the limitations imposed by the difficult terrain, harsh climatic conditions and scarce land and water resources, they have evolved a farming system that has not only sustained past generations but also conserved the resources base for future generations. This traditional farming system relied on the inter-linkages and symbiotic relationship between agriculture, livestock and forest. Unfortunately, with the start of the planned development, this integrated nature of farming has not been adequately addressed and rural development was promoted through separate departments of agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry. Each of these departments pursued its own narrowly defined goals and objectives, which were of then in conflict with one another and without coordination. Separate training institutions namely the National Agriculture Training Institute at Paro, the Royal Veterinary Institute at Serbithang and the Bhutan Forestry Institute at Taba conducted their own staff training.

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