Call on by the Director General of the International Potato Institute (CIP to Sonam Lyonpo Mr. Younten Phuntsho, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL)

: Dr. Simon Heck, Director General of the International Potato Institute (CIP), called on to His Excellency Mr. Younten Phuntsho, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) and the senior officials of the Ministry.

The ministry proposed various areas of collaboration besides stressing the interest of the ministry to establish the CIP South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) in the country. Hon'ble Lyonpo emphasized the importance of potatoes in Bhutan and how the CSARC would benefit both national and regional potato sectors.

Both parties expressed keen interest in collaboration between the two organizations. Furthermore, both sides will work to finalize the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between CIP and MoAL. Additionally, the two sides agreed to deepen collaboration to strengthen the potato program in Bhutan.