Agriculture in Bhutan: Difference between revisions
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== Climate Change == |
== Climate Change == |
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In the uplands where water scarcity is increasingly affecting farm output, farmers are switching back to traditional rice varieties known in the local language as Yangkum, Jama, Janaap, and Jakaap. These grow well in high altitude and require short window for plantation and harvesting.<ref>{{Citation |last=Tshotsho |title=Indigenous Practices of Paddy Growers in Bhutan: A Safety Net Against Climate Change |date=2022 |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-0680-9_6 |work=Climate Change and Community Resilience: Insights from South Asia |pages=87–100 |editor-last=Haque |editor-first=A. K. Enamul |place=Singapore |publisher=Springer Nature |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-981-16-0680-9_6 |isbn=978-981-16-0680-9 |access-date=2022-07-11 |editor2-last=Mukhopadhyay |editor2-first=Pranab |editor3-last=Nepal |editor3-first=Mani |editor4-last=Shammin |editor4-first=Md Rumi}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 10:32, 11 July 2022
Agriculture in Bhutan has a dominant role in the Bhutan's economy. In 2000, agriculture accounted for 35.9% of GDP of the nation.[1] The share of the agricultural sector in GDP declined from approximately 55% in 1985 to 33% in 2003. Despite this, agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for the majority of the population.[2] Cereals are important component of Bhutanese diet; maize and rice are the major crops cultivated. Other cultivated crops include wheat, barley, oil seeds, potato, and various vegetables. Among vegetables, chili and potato are most important. In addition, cash crops, such as apple, orange, and cardamom are cultivated and exported.
History
Documentary evidence of early agricultural history in Bhutan is scant. However, rituals and events associated in Bhutanese astrology provide cultural evidence to longstanding agrarian practices in the society.[3] The Bhutanese term for agricultural is sonam which can be translated to merit or blessing. Bhutanese people believe that only the fortunate and blessed can be farmers.[4] Some artifacts discovered suggest prevalence of agricultural practices around 1500-2000 BC. It does not provide further insight into the history of crops. The fire that ravaged the former capital of Punakha in 1827 destroyed royal records that could provide other evidence.[5] Despite this, Bhutan’s medieval agrarian history can be traced through the biographies of Buddhist saints during the 8-9th century providing some evidence that agriculture was already a mainstay by then.[3] It is quite likely that agricultural practices especially cultivation of rice, maize, and millet reached Bhutan through southern China and Northeast India.[6] Modern agricultural development in Bhutan commenced from the 1960s with the start of planned development programs in the country and is well documented.[3]
Bhutan is located at the intersection of the origins of both the subspecies of Oryza sativa (rice), Oryza sativa ssp. japonica and Oryza sativa Indica Group. In conjunction to the traditional rituals associated with rice, it can be viewed as an ancient crop in the kingdom.[5]
Modern Agriculture
In 1961, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck initiated planned development process. The first Five-Year Plan introduced planned agriculture with a budget of Nu 2,000,000. The kingdom's Department of Agriculture was established on October 1, 1961. It set up a number of model farms, seed multiplication facilities, agricultural research stations, and a network of extension workers. By 1963, research farms were set up at Lungthenphu and Bhur along with a demonstration farm at Tala. In addition, a horticulture research station was built at Yusipang which facilitated orchards at Gasa and Bumthang. Agricultural subsidies for irrigation work started in 1964.[5]
With the second Five-Year Plan between 1967 and 1971, a third research farm was set up at Kanglung to serve eastern Bhutan. Extending the horticulture research, a new research centre was proposed at Bumthang District. Around 40 varieties of paddy were tested to check for geographical suitability of high-yielding varieties. About 49 quintals of improved paddy seeds were distributed during 1969–1970. Agricultural subsidies were expanded to boost rice production in the kingdom.[5]
New Crops
Until 1970s, vegetable production was limited to kitchen gardens. In the early 1980s, three high-yielding, blight resistant potato seeds were released through the Bhutan National Potato Programme. In 2001, potato cultivation had increased to 35,436 metric tonnes of which 24,000 metric tonnes was exported.
Economy
Approximately 80% of the population of Bhutan are involved in agriculture.[7] According to the National Accounts Statistics 2017, the agriculture sector was the highest contributor to the national economy with 16.52%, followed by construction industry and hydropower at 16.28% and 13.38%, respectively.[8]
| Dzongkhang | Wetland | Dry land | Apple Orchard | Citrus Orchard | Arecanut Plantation | Cardamom Plantation | Other Horticulture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bumthang District | 24.7 | 2883.8 | 12.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chukha District | 1799.2 | 5119.2 | 53.0 | 1308.0 | 180.0 | 782.0 | 0 |
| Dagana District | 1492.8 | 4588.4 | 0 | 1341.0 | 115.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gasa District | 143.6 | 386.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Haa District | 88.5 | 2067.8 | 89.0 | 9.0 | 0 | 527.0 | 0 |
| Lhuntse District | 1575.6 | 4328.7 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mongar District | 431.7 | 5304.4 | 0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Paro District | 1753.0 | 3561.6 | 1026.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pemagatshel District | 302.3 | 4333.4 | 0 | 620.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Punakha District | 5074.3 | 262.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 16.0 |
| Samdrup Jongkhar District | 1147.7 | 6732.4 | 0 | 232.0 | 17.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Samtse District | 5682.4 | 8150.5 | 0 | 894.0 | 348.0 | 2291.0 | 0 |
| Sarpang District | 2087.6 | 3472.7 | 0 | 553.0 | 540.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Thimphu District | 458.3 | 913.6 | 902.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trashigang District | 1448.5 | 4974.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trashiyangtse District | 949.3 | 2110.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trongsa District | 1082.3 | 1204.9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tsirang District | 1527.1 | 2867.4 | 0 | 314.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wangdue Phodrang District | 4202.3 | 1742.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zhemgang District | 639.6 | 3250.7 | 0 | 211.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bhutan | 31910.8 | 68254.8 | 2082.0 | 5487.0 | 1200.0 | 3600.0 | 16.0 |
Over 95% of the earning women in the country work in the agricultural sector.[10] Majority of rural Bhutanese population in this Himalayan nation are also employed in the agricultural sector.[11] Agriculture in Bhutan is characterized by its labor-intensive nature with relatively low intensity of farm inputs. Most of the peasants in the country are small and marginal.[2]
The country’s total geographical size is 38,394 km, of which cultivable land accounts for just 2.93%.[8] Among the agricultural lands in the nation, an estimated 21% are wetland (irrigated), approximately 43% are dryland (rainfed), nearly 27% are used for shifting cultivation, approximately 3% are used for orchards and 1% are kitchen gardens.[2]
Major crops cultivated in Bhutan are maize and rice. Maize accounts for 49% of total domestic cereal cultivation, and rice accounts for 43%. Rice is the major staple crop. Agriculture in the country includes cultivation of wheat and other minor cereal crops.[1] Paddy is the primary crop in those regions where proper irrigation is available. Apart from paddy, other crops like wheat, barley, oil seeds, potato and different vegetables are also cultivated in these lands. Maize is mainly cultivated in dryland regions at lower elevation.[12] Forests in the nation act as the source of livestock fodder and organic materials for the purpose of development of fertility. Forests are also responsible for regulating the availability of water for agricultural purpose.[13]
The primary goals of agriculture in Bhutan are to raise the per capita income of the people living in rural areas, to enhance self-sufficiency in staple crops, and to increase the productivity per unit of farm labor and agricultural land. Agriculture is hampered due to irrigation problem,[12] rough terrain, poor soil quality and limited number of arable lands.[7] But several other factors have contributed in the development of agriculture. These factors include improved quality of various cereal seeds, oil seeds, and vegetable seeds, use of fertilizers, mechanization process and trained agricultural experts.[12] The agricultural sector have experienced development especially in the following projects:
- Paro Valley Development Project
- Geylegphug Development Project
- Punakha-Wangdi Valley Development Project
- Trashigang-Mongar Area Development Project
- Chirang Hill Irrigation Development Project.[12]
Production of cash crops, such as apple, orange and cardamom, have increased and have become profitable. In several areas the shifting cultivation is being replaced by the orchard cultivation. Academics expect this will increase the cultivation of cash crops.[12]
In 2013 the government announced that Bhutan will become the first country in the world with 100 percent organic farming[14] and started a program for qualification. This program is being supported by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).[15]
Climate Change
In the uplands where water scarcity is increasingly affecting farm output, farmers are switching back to traditional rice varieties known in the local language as Yangkum, Jama, Janaap, and Jakaap. These grow well in high altitude and require short window for plantation and harvesting.[16]
See also
References
- ^ a b Suresh Chandra Babu, Ashok Gulati (2005). Economic Reforms And Food Security: The Impact Of Trade And Technology in South Asia. Haworth Press. p. 329. ISBN 1-56022-257-3.
- ^ a b c Small Farmers and the Food System in Bhutan[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Dorji, Yeshey (2015). The history of the introduction and adoption of important food crops in Bhutan: Rice, maize, potato and chili (PDF). Thimphu: National Biodiversity Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests. pp. iii.
- ^ Kunzang Choden (2008). Chilli and cheese : food and society in Bhutan. Walter Roder. Bangkok, Thailand: White Lotus. ISBN 978-974-480-118-0. OCLC 188700200.
- ^ a b c d Dorji, Tashi Y.; Tamang, Asta M.; Vernoy, Ronnie (2015). The history of the introduction and adoption of important food crops in Bhutan: Rice, maize, potato and chili (PDF). Thimphu: National Biodiversity Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests.
- ^ Phuntsho, Karma (2018). The history of Bhutan. [India]. ISBN 81-8400-767-1. OCLC 939995381.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b The DOHA Development Agenda. United Nations Publications. 2004. p. 201. ISBN 92-1-120338-4.
- ^ a b Chhogyel, Ngawang; Kumar, Lalit (2018-12). "Climate change and potential impacts on agriculture in Bhutan: a discussion of pertinent issues". Agriculture & Food Security. 7 (1): 79. doi:10.1186/s40066-018-0229-6. ISSN 2048-7010.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 2019. Thimphu: National Statistical Bureau. 2019.
- ^ Jennifer Kitts, Janet Hatcher Roberts (1996). The Health Gap: Beyond Pregnancy and Reproduction. International Development Research Centre (Canada). pp. 97. ISBN 0-88936-772-8.
- ^ Catherine Mears, Helen Young (1998). Acceptability and Use of Cereal-based Foods in Refugee Camps. Oxfam. p. 49. ISBN 0-85598-402-3.
- ^ a b c d e Ramakant, Ramesh Chandra Misra (1996). Bhutan: Society and Polity. Indus Publishing. p. 149. ISBN 81-7387-044-6.
- ^ Stephen R. Tyler (2006). Communities, Livelihoods and Natural Resources: Action Research and Policy Change in Asia. International Development Research Centre (Canada). pp. 193–4. ISBN 1-55250-230-9.
- ^ "Bhutan set to plough lone furrow as world's first wholly organic country". The Guardian online. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
- ^ "Presentation on Science Based High Yielding Organic Agriculture by IFOAM". Bhutan Minister for Agriculture and Forests. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
- ^ Tshotsho (2022), Haque, A. K. Enamul; Mukhopadhyay, Pranab; Nepal, Mani; Shammin, Md Rumi (eds.), "Indigenous Practices of Paddy Growers in Bhutan: A Safety Net Against Climate Change", Climate Change and Community Resilience: Insights from South Asia, Singapore: Springer Nature, pp. 87–100, doi:10.1007/978-981-16-0680-9_6, ISBN 978-981-16-0680-9, retrieved 2022-07-11
