Prospects of Organic Farming in Bhutan: A SWOT Analysis

A study was conducted to investigate the prospects of organic agriculture (OA) in Bhutan from the experts’ perspective, particularly the SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat) aspect. Thirty-five Bhutanese experts were interviewed. The strengths of OA were (i) good alignment of the princ...

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Main Authors: Sonam Tashi, Kesang Wangchuk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-01-01
Series:Advances in Agriculture
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1717352
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author Sonam Tashi
Kesang Wangchuk
author_facet Sonam Tashi
Kesang Wangchuk
author_sort Sonam Tashi
collection DOAJ
description A study was conducted to investigate the prospects of organic agriculture (OA) in Bhutan from the experts’ perspective, particularly the SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat) aspect. Thirty-five Bhutanese experts were interviewed. The strengths of OA were (i) good alignment of the principles of OA with Bhutan’s development philosophy, (ii) strong policy and political support, (iii) pristine environment, (iv) OA practices similar to traditional farming, and (v) compatibility of OA with the local farming knowledge. The major weaknesses were (i) a lack of awareness of the benefits of OA, (ii) lack of incentives, (iii) shortage of farm labor, (iv) small and irregular supply of organic product, (v) lack of clarity in policy, (vi) limited plant protection materials, and (vii) a lack of coordination between agencies. Opportunities were (i) a huge regional and global organic market, (ii) promoting healthy lifestyle, (iii) sustainable use of resources, (iv) lowering dependence on food and input imports, (v) development of local organic manure suppliers, (vi) creating seed sovereignty, (vii) conserving local crops, (viii) building soil fertility, (ix) introducing premium price for organic products, and (x) addressing unemployment. Threats included (i) increasing incidences of pests and diseases, (ii) decline in sources of organic manure, and (iii) limited sources of organic manures and fertilizers.
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spelling doaj-art-70eb405681eb4730ab3be3d2e3c03b052025-02-03T01:22:33ZengWileyAdvances in Agriculture2356-654X2314-75392016-01-01201610.1155/2016/17173521717352Prospects of Organic Farming in Bhutan: A SWOT AnalysisSonam Tashi0Kesang Wangchuk1College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Lobesa, Wangdue, BhutanRenewable Natural Resources Research and Development Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Bumthang, BhutanA study was conducted to investigate the prospects of organic agriculture (OA) in Bhutan from the experts’ perspective, particularly the SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat) aspect. Thirty-five Bhutanese experts were interviewed. The strengths of OA were (i) good alignment of the principles of OA with Bhutan’s development philosophy, (ii) strong policy and political support, (iii) pristine environment, (iv) OA practices similar to traditional farming, and (v) compatibility of OA with the local farming knowledge. The major weaknesses were (i) a lack of awareness of the benefits of OA, (ii) lack of incentives, (iii) shortage of farm labor, (iv) small and irregular supply of organic product, (v) lack of clarity in policy, (vi) limited plant protection materials, and (vii) a lack of coordination between agencies. Opportunities were (i) a huge regional and global organic market, (ii) promoting healthy lifestyle, (iii) sustainable use of resources, (iv) lowering dependence on food and input imports, (v) development of local organic manure suppliers, (vi) creating seed sovereignty, (vii) conserving local crops, (viii) building soil fertility, (ix) introducing premium price for organic products, and (x) addressing unemployment. Threats included (i) increasing incidences of pests and diseases, (ii) decline in sources of organic manure, and (iii) limited sources of organic manures and fertilizers.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1717352
spellingShingle Sonam Tashi
Kesang Wangchuk
Prospects of Organic Farming in Bhutan: A SWOT Analysis
Advances in Agriculture
title Prospects of Organic Farming in Bhutan: A SWOT Analysis
title_full Prospects of Organic Farming in Bhutan: A SWOT Analysis
title_fullStr Prospects of Organic Farming in Bhutan: A SWOT Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Prospects of Organic Farming in Bhutan: A SWOT Analysis
title_short Prospects of Organic Farming in Bhutan: A SWOT Analysis
title_sort prospects of organic farming in bhutan a swot analysis
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1717352
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