1. Bhutan to convert to a fully organic country- Challenges and way forward
Chulalongkorn University 23 January 2018 Sonam TASHI

2. Presentation outline
Introduction
Challenges
Way forward

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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 respondents – all from MoAF, 33% were female respondents; semi-structured questionnaire,
n=110

7. 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

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

9. 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,

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

11. 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

12. Thank you!!