RC Bajothang, May 11, 2007. Information and Communication Services of MoA launched the website for Virtual Research and Extension Communication Network (VERCON).


Participants

Chaired by Director of Council for RNR Research of Bhutan, the launching ceremony was
attended by the researchers, extension agents and sector heads of the pilot sites,
representatives from the departments and agencies and other observers.

VERCON is a concept developed by the Food and Agriculture organization of the UN to
strengthen the linkages between extension and research components of agriculture sector by
harnessing the power of ICT as a tool. In Bhutan, VERCON is being implemented by ICS on
pilot basis in three geogs, namely Limukha in Punakha, Baap in Thimphu and Gasay lo in
Wangdue and one research centre, namely RC Bajothang.

The launching of the VERCON website is one of the biggest milestones of the project. This
website will serve as the main interface for different end-users to interact among themselves
to exchange information of different RNR topics, the main end-users being the extension
agents and researchers.

The website will be populated with the relevant contents once the users are trained on how to
use it, a major user training which will be conducted soon.

The website was developed by ICS with assistance from a local consultant and is hosted in
Druknet with the url: http://www.vercon.bt

"As we launch the VERCON website, may I have the honour to sincerely request all those who are involved in this project, to sincerely put on the best efforts in implementing it so that we are able to reach the last mile, our farmers", said the chairman in his opening address.