National Soil Services Center
About Us
Location
Semtokha, Thimphu
Elevation
2,300 meters
Established
8th Five Year Plan
Core Programs
5
Who we are
The National Soil Services Center (NSSC) is located at Semtokha, about 6.7 km west of Thimphu on the Thimphu - Paro highway. It lies below Semtokha Dzong and across the Ola Rong Chhu from the Royal Institute of Management (RIM). The Center is situated at approximately 27°26′ N latitude and 89°40′ E longitude, at an elevation of just over 2,300 meters above sea level.
The NSSC site comprises a series of alluvial terraces with a northerly aspect toward the Ola Rong Chhu, with most of the area lying about 40 meters above the river. The soils on these terraces are generally gravel-free and well drained, ranging from sandy clay loam to clay loam, with occasional iron or manganese staining.
Established during the Eighth Five Year Plan period, the NSSC reports directly to the Department of Agriculture (DoA) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL). The Center's mandate is to coordinate and provide soil and land management research activities and services in the country. To fulfill this role, NSSC operates five core programs: the Soil and Plant Analytical Laboratory (SPAL), Soil Survey Program (SSP), Soil Microbiology Program (SMP), Land Management Program (LMP), and Soil Fertility Program (SFP).
Our Vision
Sustainable management of soil and land resources for productive, diverse and resilient agriculture food system and ecosystem services.
Our Mission
To generate and promote appropriate technologies and information for improved soil health, agriculture productivity and ecosystem services.
Our Mandates
Provide continuous assessment of the sustainability of the country's vital agricultural resources – soil and land, through survey, mapping, classification and evaluation.
Sustain Bhutan's mountain agriculture through the promotion of sustainable soil and land management practices including reversion of fallow lands.
Provide fertilization guides, recommendations and other technical support services through the conduct of laboratory analysis on soils, plants, and water samples and field trials.
Support Royal Projects in implementing national rehabilitation, resettlement and land use certificate programs.
Support national organic agriculture through development and promotion of organic sources of plant nutrients.
Provide leadership in the pursuit of research and development (R&D) function for soil and land resources.
Contribute towards formulation of soil and land management policies, plans and guidelines to address issues on food security and climate change, including disaster risk related to agriculture.
Provide leadership in the development of national information and communication on sustainable soil and land management.
Establish institutional linkage and partnership (both within and outside the country) for knowledge, information and resource sharing.
As the focal agency for several Global Agreements i.e. UNCCD, GSP, ASP, SEALNET, WOCAT, and APIPNM, ensure fulfilment of the obligations and requirements of these agreements.