Bhutan to convert to a fully organic country- Challenges and way forward Chulalongkorn University 23 January 2018 Sonam TASHI stashi.cnr@rub.edu.bt

Presentation outline Introduction Challenges Way forward

Introduction Eastern Himalayas 38,394 km2 ~0.8 m people Bhutan Thailand Eastern Himalayas 26o 45’ N and 28o10’ N and 88o 45’E 92o10’E. 38,394 km2 ~0.8 m people ~ 56.2% farmers 2.93% under cultivation It is about 300 km long and 150 km wide. Population ..10 times less than Bangkok (8.2 mi) and area 13 times smaller than thailand (513,120) or 7.5% that of thailand Economy spiked to 139 B Ngultrum in 2017 from 132 B in 2016; in 2015, it was 119 B ngultrum Agriculture – 16% GDP Nu 139 B economy US$1 = 64.5 Ngultrum (Nu) GNH = Gross National Happiness

GNH based development model Introduction cont. GNH ~ long-term sustainability Environmental conservation Four principles of OA Preservation and promotion of culture Sustainable socio-economic development Good governance GNH based development model 2003 – launched OA 2008 – declared to be a fully organic country by 2020 It is about 300 km long and 150 km wide. Population ..10 times less than Bangkok (8.2 mi) and area 13 times smaller than thailand (513,120) or 7.5% that of thailand Economy spiked to 139 B Ngultrum in 2017 from 132 B in 2016; in 2015, it was 119 B ngultrum Progress slow – many challenges

Challenges Mindset of people Limited trained human resource Unavailability of effective plant protection alternatives Nascent research

Whether or not Bhutan can convert fully to organic country by 2020 53% of the respondents feels that Bhutan will not be able to fulfill the vision 2020. Lack of policy, advocacy and legal support Small domestic market Limited alternatives to growers 21% of the respondents feel that the vision is achievable Interest of farmers/growers as Growing market 26% - not sure Purposive sampling - 110 respondents – all from MoAF, 33% were female respondents; semi-structured questionnaire, n=110

i. Mindset of people OA is low yielding High pest/disease problems Not suitable for large scale production Compromise food security goal Unprofitable Laborious 44% felt conversion to organic agriculture will considerably decrease food production against 26% who said food production will increase n=110

ii. Limited trained human resource OA is knowledge intensive All agriculturists trained in conventional agriculture schools No formal OA degree programs

iii. Unavailability of effective plant protection alternatives Pest, disease and weeds – bio-pesticides … Good farm design and management - answer Mixed cropping, crop rotation, healthy seeds, timely sowing, maintaining healthy soil,

iv. Nascent research Recently instituted Research Development Centre for OA Limited research - support lacking Technologies and new practices and innovations

Way forward Support required by organic growers Policy support – 69%; Capacity building – 53%; Awareness – 35%; subsidy – 48% Design a resilient farm minimal external interventions inputs Strengthen research

Thank you!!