Drivers and Deterrents of Organic Agriculture in Phunkha Dzongkhag

Kinley Dema

Tshering Yangdon

Kaushela Gurung

Pema Yangzom

Sangay Wangmo

Dorji Wangmo

Group Number 5

26 October 2018

College of Natural Resources

Royal University of Bhutan

Lobesa, Punakha
 Introduction

1.1.Background

Organic farming word was first used in 1940 by Lord Walter Northbourne in his book ‘look
Look to the land’ to delineate an alternative to conventional farming and he asserts that the
increase in use of chemicals coincides with a rapid fall in real fertility (Platt, 2013).
Comparisons and conjectures being drawn up by many researchers between organic agriculture
(OA) and conventional agriculture (CA), have caught the eyes of many growers and health
conscious consumers. Although organic farming existed since the start of civilizations, it came
into focus after the green revolution (GR) took away the green of the world (Citation??). GR
played a significant role in increasing the food yield production and its benefits have been
experienced by the ASEAN countries (Terano, Mohammed, & Rezai, 2011). Unfortunately,
apart from its benefits, GR also generated some detrimental problems. It emerged due to GR
having massively relied on the use of high internal inputs. It included the use of high yielding
Commented [H1]: This is a disjointed sentence. Does not align
with the idea expressed in the preceding sentence.
Commented [H2]: Eyes? Because be less poetic /romantic and
more technical here!
Commented [H3]: Why suddenly ASEAN here? Wherever GR
was introduced, it temporarily benefitted the host country(ies).
Also expand the specific acronym when introducing it for the first
time.
Commented [H4]: NOPE. Please recheck.

rice varieties and agrochemicals (Sukrisyonubowono,Wiwik, Sofyan, Benito, & De Neve,

2007). Several critiques were addressed argued that GR caused environmental degradation, and
exacerbated the income inequality and worsened the absolute poverty (IFPRI, 2002; Pingali, Commented [H5]: Expand it for the first time.

2012). The excessive use of chemo-synthetic inputs for a long duration caused the presence of
chemical residues in foods, destruction of land fertility or production and environmental
pollution (Ashari, 2017). Please re-read the paragraph above. What is your central message?
It’s mixed and kinda confusion – you are starting with OA term, almost as if starting to tell us
history about OA and then you suddenly jump to comparison of OA and CA, without enough
telling us what CA. Then you introduction another term GR. Here you superficially define GR.
All in one small paragraph. So please reorganize your thoughts and break them down in neat
paragraphs, one following the other in a logical coherent sequence. Ha-goi? !

Not only GR, but also CA has been associated with these critiques. CA also called as the Commented [H6]: ??? Associated? CA is a part of GR depending
on how you define each of these terms.
industrial farming, despite its name (conventional), developed from onlyaround nineteenth
century and became widespread only after the World Was 2. It has contributed in increasing Commented [H7]: WAS two?! Or War Two?

the agricultural productivity and helped in improving farmers’ living standards (Tracy, 1989).
Its prime objective was to increase the food production per unit area within a short amount of
time, with the use of intensive monoculture, hybrid seeds and application of synthetic
Commented [H8]: And this source of information is very new,
huh, ONLY about 30 years.
Commented [H9]: So are you referring to GR or CA? Both fit in
here though.. but GR seems more like it because GR is no more
“fashionable” borrowing from your poetic vocabulary.

chemicals for nutrient and pest management (weeds, diseases and insects). However, it
disturbed the ecosystem balance which included water, soil, air and biodiversity (Lampkin, Commented [H10]: If it is CA, then it continues to disturb. So
do not use past participle.
1990; Scialabba & Lindenlauf, 2010). It was also accused of being economically expensive to Commented [H11]: Another new source.

society and increasingly so to the farmer (Lampkin, 1990). With its increasing known
detrimental impacts, governments and growers worldwide started looking for a more
sustainable method to overcome the mentioned effects resorting to OA. Lampkin (1990) stated Commented [H12]: Please rephrase it.

“organic agriculture has positive contribution to make in some of these areas”, and thus, the
organic revolution began. Commented [H13]: ? huh?…there are many drivers for OA and
not suddenly here after Lampkin’s “holier than thou”
pronouncement did OA movement come about. Please …
OA maybe defined as a farming practice in which synthetic chemicals are not used in the
production, both the crops and as well as the livestock. As given in the book of Lampkin (1990), Commented [H14]: Please rephrase it.

according to the United States Department of Agriculture:

Organic farming is a production system which avoids or largely excludes the use
of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and
livestock feed additives. To the maximum extent feasible, organic farming
systems rely on crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, legumes, green
manures, off-farm organic wastes, and aspects of biological pest control to
maintain soil productivity and tilth, to supply plant nutrients and to control
insects, weeds and other pests. Commented [H15]: One indent from both sides.

Does this sentence connect with the idea given in the preceding paragraph. For more and more
people today, shopping for food involves a stop at the organic produce section of the local
market. As a result productions of organic products are eminently necessary and important for
the people all over the world. Among diverse alternatives, organic agriculture is earning
acceptance and becoming popular internationally due to the want for natural foods and the
growing awareness of health and environmental hazards caused because of conventional
Commented [H16]: Generic statement. You may like to delete
it unless you rephrase it.
Commented [H17]: Has no connection with the preceding
sentences, hence, what alternatives you are referring to has to be
spelt out. Meh na?

chemical agriculture. Thus it is turns out to be the better alternative to conventional agriculture. Commented [H18]: Let’s be less poetic.
Commented [H19]: Demand?

Worldwide the land under organic agriculture has reached was 43.7 million hectares in 2014 Commented [H20]: Some demand for OA makes it a “better”
….
up from 11 million hectares in 1999 according to a report by FiBL (Expand it – Research
Institute of Organic Agriculture based in Switzerland) survey in 2016 (as cited in Willer, 2016).
In spite of increasing by more than 100%, the land under organic farming worldwide
constituent constitutes under only about 1% of the total arable land (Willer, 2016). In Commented [H21]: Cultivated land?

accordance with the increase in land under OA, the global market size for OA also increased
from 15.2 million US $ in 1999 to 80 million US $ in 2014 (Organic Monitor, as cited in Willer, Commented [H22]: Don’t leave a space between US and $ -
US$ or USD.
2016).
Organic farming was formally launched in Bhutan in 2003. The principles of OA and the
philosophies of Bhutan government development concept based on Gross National Happiness
(GNH) paradigm share many commonalities. The government of Bhutan strongly supports OA
and in 2008 declared to go fully organic by 2020 (Tashi, 2015).

If you read your introduction section, nothing much is described or narrated on driver
and deterrent aspects of OA and OA in Bhutan/Punakha, which are your study’s
KEYWORDS and study site, respectively… Mey na?

1.2 Problem Statement

The government of Bhutan aims to convert the whole agricultural area to Organic Agriculture
(OA) by 2020 in an effort to provoke a substantial increase of productivity and farmers’ income Commented [H23]: Promote?

while preserving the environment. Currently, the Organic Agricultural production in the
country is less than 10 % and in order for the farmers to get higher income, the organic crops Commented [H24]: Don’t leave space between figure and unit.

should out-yield conventional crops which are not likely. Commented [H25]: Now what is this? How does this related to
your preceding clause/phrase? I mean, do they connect?

In many cases farmers experiences some loss initially when they convert into organic farming
from conventional farming, particularly those farms which were under conventional farming
for extended period. This is because it takes time to balance the nutrient and minerals contained
in the soil, ; it takes time to restore beneficial insect population, soil fertility and pest
suppression. So the small and marginal farmers face difficulties to go fully organic.
Since there is a huge lack of awareness, the farmers should be aware of how they should convert
into fully organic and about the advantages of practicing organic farming. The farmers simply
Commented [H26]: Suddenly making a sweeping conclusion.
Actually marginal farmers are not very much into CA given that they
can’t afford expensive synthetic agro-chemicals and hybrid seeds.
Further, their farms are more diverse and robust in many instances.
So, you conclusion here has to be qualified.
Commented [H27]: Please rephrase the sentence.

dig pits, fill it with some of the waste and rainwater as a result of which the bottom becomes
like hard cake and top under compost. So it is always important to make farmers aware of how Commented [H28]: Rephrase it … hard to understand, huh.

to start converting into organic farming rather than just simply saying ‘convert fully into
organic Farming practices’. Farmers also stated that it is very difficult to control pest and Commented [H29]: Rephrase it.
Commented [H30]: From whose study is this finding quoted?
diseases in organic farming because organic plant protection is either limited or ineffective.

The three paragraphs above don’t have a single citation. Hhmm… tell me, what I should say…

According to The comparative study conducted by Tashi and Wangchuk (2016) in all three
agro-ecological zones of Bhutan involving 120 organic and conventional paddy fields showed
that the yields from organic farms fields are were comparable, if not higher than conventional
farms fields and that organic farming is was more profitable. They also explained that pests
and diseases remained under control led sincebecause of nature natural check and balance
equilibrium and the positive effect of rich biodiversity in organic farms also promotes rich
biodiversity.

The difficulties in organic farming discourage the farmers from converting into organic
farming but on other hand the positive factors encourages the farmers to go fully organic. Commented [H31]: Please rephrase.

Your problem statement should contain those relevant problems/issues that would justify the
study. So describe or argue those problems by way of justifying your study.

1.3 Objectives

1) To determine the current status of organic agriculture in Punakha Dzongkhag.

2) To identify the drivers and deterrents of organic agriculture.
3) To analyze the possibilities possibilty of Punakha Dzongkhag going converting fully to
organic by 2030. Commented [H32]: Ehna?

Literature Review

2.1. Definition of Organic Agriculture

According to Pornpratanaombat et al., (2011) Oorganic agriculture is a system of food and Commented [H33]: Delete coma. Please check your citation
style again, huh.
fibre production with negative impact on ecological balance. Organic farming relies on Commented [H34]: I hope you are in your (good) senses huh.

indigenous practices for maximizing long- term health and productivity of ecosystem, and
enhancing quality of products. Organic agriculture is often considered and is documented to be
more sustainable approach to farming. It could provide solutions to the current problems in
conventional or chemical farming that seems to be prominent in most parts of World.

On the other hand Organic farming is defined as a method of crop and livestock production
that involves much more than choosing to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified
organisms, antibiotics and growth hormone (Martin, 2009). In organic production farmers
choose not to use synthetic agro-chemicals tools that are available but instead they use culture
cultural methods like such as crop rotation and tillage practices to reduce crop loss or crop Commented [H35]: Like sounds informal! So replace it with
“such as”.
problems. The yields of organic crops solely depend on how it is managed. During the Commented [H36]: Nah. Other factors such soil and climatic
factors also influence yield, though by far the influence of
transition period from non-organic to organic farming the yield usually decreases but after 4-5 management is substantial.
years the yield increases more than conventional levels, and if it is managed will than leads to
high production. Commented [H37]: Need to correct both technical facts and
also the language. Hope you have done sufficient literature review.

As per Tashi (2015) Bhutan was officially launched organic farming in 2003 and for
proclaimed to become a fully organic country in by 2020. The principles and philosophies of
Bhutan are determined based on Gross National Happiness (GNH). The use of argo-chemicals Commented [H38]: Determined? Hope you know what you are
writing, huh.
are is restricted while practicing organic farming so Bhutan was in comfortable position to Commented [H39]: Not exactly. Appropriate term would be
“minimal”.
convert to fully organic farming production since Bhutanese farmer uses traditional practices
Commented [H40]: Rephrase.
which include crop rotation, tillage, mulching, crop residues, leaf litter, cattle manures as a Commented [H41]: “a” and plural fertilizers don’t go together.

fertilizers. Commented [H42]:

Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances
agro-system health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It
emphasizes the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking
into account that regional conditions required locally adapted systems (FAO, 1999)

You don’t need four paragraphs to define OA. Keep it short and crisp. Give it in one
paragraph or at most two so that you don’t repeat the same things again and again.

2.2 Organic Agriculture Worldwide: Current Statistics. Commented [H43]: Delete period.

While studying various researches on Organic Agriculture, OA is thriving and flourishing in Commented [H44]:

every corner of the world and people in all areas across the globe are becoming aware about
the importance of OA and the best it could do to everybody. They are not only aware but they Commented [H45]: Please stop all this generic and mundane
sentence that add nothing to your write up. Get straight to the
are also putting a concerted effort in order to boost and harmonize OA for the benefits to their point. Tell us something meaningful.

respective countries and themselves. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Commented [H46]: No use.

Movement (IFOAM), which has as official liaison status with FAO for OA has 750 member
organization in 108 countries and at least 70 countries have an organic regulation and many
more are proceeding to entact organic standards and laws (Scialabba and Merrigan, 2009)
According to the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) survey on certified organic
agriculture worldwide (2018), as of end of 2016 there was almost 58 million hectares of organic
Commented [H47]: Ga che mo?
Commented [H48]: Almost a decade old source. Now the
membership has grown substantially. Give us the latest figure.
Commented [H49]: You don’t forget to put a period at the end
of the sentence.

farmland with Oceania having the largest area of Organic agricultural land i.e., 27.3 million
hectares followed by Europe (13.5 million hectares) and Latin America (7.1 million hectares)
and globally 1.2% of the world’s agricultural land is organic. Commented [H50]: This contradicts with what you said earlier.
On the consumer side, organic products with a total value of almost 90 billion US dollars were
sold globally in 2016 and double-digit rates were recorded in many advanced market of organic
products and a growth rate of even 20% and in 2016, the countries with the largest markets Commented [H51]: ????

were the United States (38.9 billion Euros), Germany (9.7 billion Euros) and France with 6.7
billion Euros (Willer and Lernoud, 2018). Commented [H52]: LOONNGG sentence. Break it down.

The production side is also keeping pace. There were at least 2.7 million organic producers in
2016 whereby 40% of the world’s organic producers are in Asia then next Africa (27%) and
followed by Latin America (17%). (Willer, Lernoud and Kemper, 2018). Commented [H53]: Why period here?

OA in the world is developing; there is increase in area, producers and a continuously growing Commented [H54]: Developing?

global market. Growing markets also means higher added value on millions of farms. And it
means 57.8 million hectares of increased soil fertility, farm and field diversity. Commented [H55]: What?

Figure 2.1: Distribution of organic agricultural land by region 2016.

Provide the source.

Type the figure. Don’t look for easy way out. You can also adapt the figure if you have
additional information and want to make it more interesting.
 Figure 2.2: Organic Agriculture worldwide: Key indicators 2016

Source: FiBL survey, 2018

It is not visible. Why don’t you type instead of copying the figure or modify the same for this
study.

Figure 2.3: The ten countries with the largest areas of organic agricultural land 2016.

Source: FiBL Survey, 2018

Type, Type, type and present the figure.

While in Asia, the total organic agriculture area was almost 4.9 million hectares in 2016 with
1.1 million producers. The countries with highest organic agricultural area were China (2.3
million hectares) and India (almost 1.5 million hectares) as reported in FiBL survey conducted
in 2018. Timor-Leste had the highest proportion of organic agricultural land followed by
Palestine, Republic of Korea and Bhutan in the fourth with 6.6%, 1.7%, 1.4%, 1.2%
respectively (FiBL survey, 2014). Paul (2013) reported that Bhutan was the world’s fastest
growing organic sector with a growth from just 59 ha in 2008, to 20,995 ha of organic
agricultural land including 15,605 ha of organic wild collection area in 2011.

Figure 2.4: Asia: The countries with the highest share of OA land 2012.

Source: FiBL survey (2014)

Type the figure.

According to New Scientist (2001) low tech sustainable agriculture is increasing crop yield on
poor farms across the world which amounts to about 70% or more. The above is achieved by
replacing synthetic chemicals in favour of natural pest control and natural fertilizers. The use
of chemicals fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides provides the farmers with lush and green
production of crops and the farmers believes that if organic agriculture is implemented it will
result in lower yield. In the article in the Guardian which was published on 24th August 2000,
Professor George Monbiot wrote that wheat grown with manure has produced consistently
higher yield for the past 150 years than the wheat grown with chemical nutrients, in trials in
the United Kingdom. (Monbiot, 2000). OA is the quickest, most efficient, cost effective and
the fairest way to feed the world. (Organic Federation of Australia). Commented [H56]: Why are you saying this? What is the
subtitle?
2.3 Importance of organic agriculture and its status in Bhutan

As stated by Feuerbacher et al. (2018), concern for the environment of Bhutan was stated out
in policies of the constitution. In 2003, OA was formally adopted with the primary aim to Commented [H57]: Rephrase.

benefit farmers by taking advantage of the growing international demand for organically
produced foods and also because of the synergetic effect principles of OA and philosophies of
Gross National Happiness (GNH) (Tshomo, 2017). GNH is a concept coined by the Fourth
Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck (Powdyel, 2004) and it is derived from the Alkire-
Foster methodology as stated by Alkire and Foster (as cited in Tashi, 2015). It is built on four
pillars of good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, cultural preservation and
environmental conservation further classified into nine domains (TIdeman, 2011&Ura et al., Commented [H58]:

2012; as cited in Tashi, 2015).

Bhutan is popularly known for its philosophy of GNH, based on which happiness is used to
measure the country’s development, instead of the GDP (Dendup, 2018). According to Dendup Commented [H59]: Rephrase.

(2018), Bhutan’s agriculture is shifting from traditional village-centric production to market-

based farming that is integrated into national and global markets. He further stated, due to small
scale production, Bhutanese farmers find it difficult to compete in the international market and
OA can help to overcome these hindrances through value addition of OA branding and
certification. It helps in fetching premium prices for the product (Dendup, 2018; Feuerbacher
et al., 2018) and further help in alleviating poverty and add value to the country (Duba et al.,
2007).

As of now Bhutan is currently working hard towards promoting OA with a high increase in Commented [H60]:

number of farmers’ group and co-operatives (RNR, 2016). Area under organic production is
2,069 acres and total land under organic management is 40,627 acres (Dorji, 2015). According
to Dorji (2015), there are three organic farms: (i) Druk Organic Farm in Toktokha, Wangdue, Commented [H61]: Only three? Common, you must be kidding.
That is why read, read and read.
established in 2009 consisting of 50 acres. (ii) Wang Sisina Integrated Farm in Khasadrapchu,
Thimphu, established in 2014 consisting of 29 acres. (iii) Chukha Organic Farm, established
in 2014. In addition to it there are private sectors going after organic farms as reported by
McCrae-Hokenson (2014).

In 2012, 37% of Bhutanese farmers used agrochemicals on 19% of the arable land (MoAF,
2013). There are speculations of prosperity of OA in Bhutan and according to Tashi (2015),
given the low reliance on the agrochemicals, Bhutan is destined for 100% OA as opposed to
the result shown by Feuerbacher et al. (2016). However, there are positive attitude towards OA Commented [H62]: Not an appropriate conjunction here.

shown by the results of respondent farmers of a study carried out by Dendup (2018). According
to Dendup (2018). Bhutanese farming is more akin to natural farming and around 70% of the
produce is already grown without the use of chemicals. Therefore, there is likely a chance for
100% OA in Bhutan. Commented [H63]: ????

Do the four paragraphs above justify your subtitle? Read your paragraphs again.
2.4 Plans and Policy for what?

The vision and aim to become a fully organic country by 2020 was strengthened by the ever-
growing popularity of OA. This trend of OA reached the terrains of Bhutan and although Commented [H64]: On foot on train?

Bhutan was declared a country with production mostly of organic among the other countries
by default (National Organic Program ([NOP]), 2016), it still felt new to the concept of OA. Commented [H65]: Rephrase.

Less than 1% of the total arable land was certified organic by the NOP and the leftover
remainder cultivated land was declared as organic without the organic certification and no
usage of agro-chemicals but it also had no usage of the improved organic practices, thus
declared as organic by default (Feuerbacher, Luckmann, Boysen, Zikeli, &Grethe, 2018). The Commented [H66]: Rephrase.

Royal Government of Bhutan declared the policy to become a fully organic country to promote
Bhutan as an organic brand, which shall help to commercialize smallholder agriculture,
alleviate poverty and add value to the tourism sector (Duba, Ghimaray& Gurung, 2007), which
is one of the contributors to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The government intends to
phase out or gradually eliminate the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides (Economics
Affairs Committee (EAC), 2010), banning on the use of agrochemicals (Feuerbacher et al., Commented [H67]: Rephrase.

2018).

In 2003, OA was formally adopted and in 2007, the National Framework for Organic Farming Commented [H68]: You are repeating this for the third time.

in Bhutan (NFOFB) was launched by Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) to provide a broad

structure for the promotion and institutionalization of OA in the country (Dorji, 2015). The
policy of 100% OA was observed that rather than bottom-up process, it was a top-down policy
creating confusion among the farmers (Feuerbacher et al., 2018).The most important policy in
Bhutan would be to maintain the 60% forest coverage at all times and the pledge to remain a
carbon neutral country (EAC, 2010; Feuerbacher et al., 2018).To complement it there are other
policies concerning the OA stated out in: (i) The Forests and Nature Conservation Act of
Bhutan 2000; (ii) The Biodiversity Act 2004; (iii) The Pesticide Act of Bhutan 2000; (iv) The
Water Act of Bhutan 2011; (v) The Community Based Natural Resources Management
Framework of Bhutan 2002; (vi) The Cooperatives Act of Bhutan 2001; (vii) The Non-
governmental Organization Act of Bhutan 2001; (viii) The Food Act of Bhutan 2005 (ix)
National Organic Program 2006; (x) School Agriculture Program by MoAF&MoE, RGOB;
(xii) Seed Act 2000; (xiii) Plant Quarantine Act of Bhutan; and (xiv) (Tashi& Department of
Agriculture [DoA], as cited in Tshomo, 2017; Duba et al., 2007; Tashi, 2015).

As per Tashi (2015), besides the NOP and the Department of Agricultural and Marketing
Cooperatives under the MoAF, there were five NGOs, two private companies and three
farmers’ groups and cooperatives involved in promoting OA in Bhutan in 2015. As of 2016,
there were 52 co-operatives and 342 farmers’ group (Ministry of Agriculture and Forest
(MoAF), 2016). Furthermore, Tashi (2015) stated “all schools across the country also have
some form of school agriculture activities, which are solely organic-based.”

2.5 Factors driving Organic Agriculture. Commented [H69]: Delete

1) Environmental: Commented [H70]: Why colon here?

OA has been associated to being environmentally healthy as compared to CA. According

Lampkin (1990), CA caused damages to soil, environment, water, air and biodiversity and also
intensive animal production system which is ethically unacceptable. Further so according to Commented [H71]: ???

Padel (as cited in Dorji, 2018), strong environment-oriented values are keys to the adoption of
OA and these have been stronger motivations than economics in farmers adopting OA. As per
Dorji (2018), studies and reviews support OA to be eco-friendly and environment benefiting
than CA systems. The aggregates studies have concluded that OA consistently have greater Commented [H72]:

soil carbon levels, better soil quality and less soil erosion as compared to CA. In addition,
Sashi, Kottola and Singh (2016) says promoting organic production,availability and Commented [H73]:
Commented [H74]:
consumption is highly important for environmental protection, sustaining life and furthering
congenial health. The most important case or the most concern was regarding to environment
in a review article of research article findings (Sashi et al., 2016). Tell us exactly how OA
benefits the environment. Give us some examples. Also highlight how CA could be impacting
the environment and its ramification on future of food production and health.

2) Economics
With the growing international market and more health-conscious consumers, they have put on Commented [H75]:

a high demand on the organic products. The global market for the OA have reached to 80
million US $ in 2014 (FiBL, 2016). As stated by (Duba et al., (2007), the main aim of adopting
OA is to commercialize smallholder agriculture, alleviate poverty and add value to the tourism
sector. Growing of organic products help in generating more income as the government
supports OA through various agricultural policies (NOP, 2016: Dorji, 2015). This factor causes
a drive for OA adoption. One small paragraph – you need to further improve it. Tell us who
OA impacts economics – is it good? It must be because it is categorized under Driver. Give us
examples of OA having positive impact on economics.

3) Health concern

It is known that conventional farming practical makes use of pesticides and other chemical
fertilizers which will remain as residues in the crop that are consumed. Keeping in mind the
harmful effects of these chemicals, most educated and informed people prefer organic products
to conventional ones. Food quality and health are the key driver for organic food demand. The
empirical evidence suggested that organic offers greater protection from pathogens, has less
contamination level in its food and has higher qualities than conventionally produced, it is
therefore more safe to consume.(No citation above…meaning didn’t do any reading.). Need to
improve further.

4) Traditional Methods of farming

The traditional methods of farming in the olden days are no different than the OA. Both
methods are intended to make productivity without the use of chemicals. A large rural
population still practices traditional farming using forest litter and Farm yard manure (FYM)
and there is a great potential of increasing and sustaining production through organic farming
combining scientific knowledge methods to produce safe food (Ghimiray, 2016). Align your
write up to align it with the subtitle as a driver.

5) Ecological sustainability Commented [H76]: This can be clubbed with environment

above (1).

Conventional agriculture is not ecologically sustainable as the usage of lot of fossil energy has
a direct impact on the natural resources, reducing soil fertility, causing soil erosion and
contributing to the global climate change (Citation???). While the principal and practices of
organic farming ensures good soil fertility, rich biodiversity and less impact on climate change
(National Organic Programme, 2007). Please elaborate. How can OA contribute to ecological
sustainability? Give us examples.

What keeps Organic Agriculture moving in Bhutan? Commented [H77]: Huh?

The push to “go 100% organic” is not an immediate action to turn the nation free of insecticides
and fertilizers and it is possible that the goal of 100% organic will never happen. To make it Commented [H78]: ???

happen and to achieve the policy of becoming fully organic by 2020 or we could say the
possibilities to make it happen one day in the future because looking at the current scenario it
seems going organic by 2020 is not possible, country and people as whole has to join their
hands and put their minds together to make the nation fully organic one day and collaborative
efforts are needed to keep it moving. Commented [H79]: Rephrase. Make it sound like a scientific
paper and not some kind of essay.

As of now it is not important if Bhutan can ever go fully organic or not, each move toward the
goal is an increase in sustaining agriculture in the country for the people’s benefits. Between Commented [H80]: Stop the rhetoric. Get to the point straight.

the government and private organizations there are policies, initiatives and support for the
Organic movement. Commented [H81]: ??

A) Policy
1) National Level Board

The national level of board was established under the Department of Agriculture (DoA)
and with the framework for Organic farming in Bhutan mainly to support systems for the
farms under conversion to organic. With the establishment of this we are moving one step
towards organic as it deal with the policy making and implementation, budget allocation to
different organic farming sectors and agencies and coordination between departments Commented [H82]: ?????

(Thimmaiah, 20017)

2) School Agriculture Programs (SAP)

SAP is one program that helps to promote organic agriculture in our country, it is the Commented [H83]:

program initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest (MoAF) along with the
Ministry of Education (MoE) aiming to have the program in every secondary school
nationwide. It started with six pilot schools in the year 2000 and now it has expanded to
303 schools in the country., s Students gets engaged in agricultural activities within their
school campus to enhance nutritional requirements and to change their attitudes toward Commented [H84]: Rephrase.
OA. The DoA arranges trainings for the SAP focal teachers at college of natural resources
and Rural Development Training Centre (MoAF, 2018).

B) Education Commented [H85]: Why?

Educating farmers is the one main factor in promoting organic agriculture and to fulfill the
policy of becoming 100% organic. The farmers have to know both the advantages and
disadvantages of OA so that they can make decision for their own benefits. The farmers
have to be literate as they should have the tools and skills to practice organic farming.
National Organic Program (NOP) has pamphlets showing a step by step guide to organic
processes with directions in English and Dzongkha and they also educates an interested
group of farmers by providing trainings and disseminating recent information on organic
agriculture (Hokenson, 2014).

According to Deki (2018) there is an optional subject on agriculture for the cClass IX and
X students. It was funded and supported by RGoB, university of South Korea (Gentech),
FAO and world food program (WFP). Furthermore a new subject called as agriculture and
food security will be a regularized subject for cClasses 9 IX to XII12 (Cheki, 2018).

C) Establishment of Organic Farms Commented [H86]: Is this a driver?

As of 2016, there were 52 co-operatives and 342 farmers’ group (Ministry of Agriculture
and Forest (MoAF), 2016). There are three organic farms established aiming to promote
OA. Druk Organic fram in Toktokha, Punakha, an integrated Agriculture Technology farm
in Wang Sisina, Thimphu and Chukha organic farm are all using the methods required for
practicing Organic farming and are examples for other farmers (Dorji, 2015).

2.6 Factors Deterring Organic Agriculture

No further subtitles for deterrents? Provide appropriate subtitles for specific idea.
Organic production systems are based on specific and precise standards of production, which
aims at achieving agro-ecosystem, which are economically, socially and ecologically
sustainable.

As reported in Kuensel (2017), agriculture provides the main livelihood to half the population Commented [H87]: Get a different more scholarly source,
please.
of the country but now there is an evolution of a drastic change. Though, the country still Commented [H88]:

aims to achieve the goal of becoming fully organic by 2020 yet it is deterred by numerous Commented [H89]:

challenges.

According to the Population and Housing Census of Bhutan (2017), 21.7% of people have
migrated to urban hubs in the course of their lives, leaving agriculture land fallow and houses
back in the villages empty resulting in 4,800 gungtongs (empty households). Since there is an
increasing rural-urban migration, agricultural lands in the villages are not exploited to the full
potential and moreover, labour shortages are also prevailing.

Organically produced food must meet strict regulations (certification), and intensive
management and this is why the farming is mostly done on a smaller scale. Pandel and
Lampkin (1994), stated that the labour input measured in terms of either hours of work or
full-time job is usually greater on organic than on equivalent conventional farms.

More labors are required in organic farming in order to carry out manual and mechanical
tasks essential to growing. The preparation for sale on the farm or in the market also involves
more labor on organic holdings. (Patrick and Alain, 1999)

Due to the absence of agrochemical inputs in organic agriculture, access to nutrients for plant
growth is limited and the occurrence of pest and diseases is more difficult to manage,
resulting in lower yields than in conventional agriculture (Business Bhutan, 2018). This is
well documented in developed countries, but there is very limited research on organic
agriculture’s relative productivity in developing countries generally and in Bhutan
specifically.

Limited sources of fertilizer and organic manure and their likely decline are also one of the
main deterrents of organic agriculture. This could be linked to the traditional practices of
fertilization by the Bhutanese farmers. Cattle manures and leaf litters from forests are major
traditional sources of manures and fertilizers in Bhutan. It is the common practice for the
cattle to graze in the forest, through dung deposits, cattle act as a carrier of the plant nutrients
from the forest to cropland. Farmers also collect leaf litters from the forest floor to fertilize
crop fields (Tashi & Wangchuk, 2016). A study by Robert et al (2003) highlights the fear of
likely decline in forest resources due to these traditional practices for several years without
nutrient replacement.

Other deterrents include marketing problems of organic farming and low yield. Bio fertilizers
and bio pesticides are yet to become popular. The demand for such products is low so the
retailers are not interested to deal and there is lack of market. The erratic supply and the low
level of awareness of cultivators also add to the problems. Lack of market information about
which products to grow, which markets and distribution channels to choose posses not only a
technical problem but adds considerable costs to the product, which have to be borne by the
consumer in one way or another.

The farmers having marginal and small land faces low yield problem when they convert
themselves from conventional farming to organic farming. It takes 3-4 years to restore
beneficial insects, nitrogen from legumes and suppression of pest and diseases so it solely
result in low yield or it might take years to convert into organic farming. Another impediment
is that, organic products are expensive presently.

Materials and Methods

3.1. Study area

The study will be conducted in Punakha Dzongkhag which is located in the western part of the
country at an elevation ranging from 1,200 meters to 4,500 meters between 27.70 latitude and
89.950 longitudes. It was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955, when the
capital was moved to Thimphu and it is about 72 km away from Thimphu. Commented [H90]:
 Figure 3.1: Study Area (Map showing geogs Gewogs of Punakha Dzongkhag)

From where did you get this map? Please acknowledge the source.

The Dzongkhag consists of eleven 11 geogs, 55 chiwogs and 368 villages. The former include, Commented [H91]: Anything above 10, write in numeric.

namely: Chhubu, Dzomi, Goenshari, Guma, Kabjisa, Lingmukha, ShengaBjimi, Talo,

Toewang, Barb and Toep with total of 55 chiwogs and 368 villages. It has a total area of
1,108.26 sq km of which 87,978 hectares are covered by forest, out of which 30% is coniferous
forest, 42% is broadleaved, 2% is scrub forest, pasture is 3% and 22% of the area is cultivated.
Out of 22% cultivated land, the Dzongkhag has a total wetland, dryland and orchard coverage
of about 647.416 acres, 12,538.13 acres and 42.01 acres, respectively.

The total population as of 30 may, May 2017 was 28,740 which consists of 15,079 males
(52.5%) and 13,661 females (47.5%). The temperature varies from 350C during summer to
130C during winter and an average of 83 mm rainfall is received annually. The rainfall is
confined to five summer monsoon months from June to October.
 Table 3.1: Population by Gewog/Town and sex Punakha 2017. (Instead of cropping the Commented [H92]: ???

above figure, please type it and provide your own formatting. That should be easy and simple
because it is not a big data). This can also be placed in the appendix as it has not direct
relation to your objective.

3.2 Sample size

There is a total of 11 gewogs in Punakha Dzongkhag consisting of about 368 villages. The total
population of the whole Dzongkhag is about 28,740 excluding the non-Bhutanese or tourist.

For the study, only the population of five gewogs, namely Toep, Lingmukha, Barp, Toewang
and Goenshari will be selected (why these five and not other gewogs? – give the reason) for
sampling following stratified random sampling unit to select sample number of farmers
engaged in organic farming from the geogs irrespective of their landholding size, location of
farms in consultation with the gewog agriculture extension supervisors. Commented [H93]: /??
The number responded respondents for the interview (sample size) will be randomly selected
using the Yamane formula (Israel, 2012) with 95% confidence level and 5% error: Commented [H94]: Rephrase.

𝑁
𝑛=
1 + 𝑁𝑋𝑒 2
Where
n= Sample size
N= Total population
e2= Error limit

Total population used in this study will be the population of five geogs.
The population of each of the geog is:
Toep= 2,427
Lingmukha= 1,018
Barp= 4,942
Toewang= 1,313
Goenshari= 694
You don’t have to show calculations for all the gewogs. One formula should be fine.
So the total population would be = 2,427 + 1,018 + 4,942 + 1,313 + 694
= 10,394 people.

10394
Therefore, 𝑛=
1+ 10394 (0.05)2

10394
𝑛=
1 + 10394 × 0.0025

10394
=
1 + 25.985

10394
=
26.985

= 385 people.
 𝑛
 Sample size of strata size = × 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒
𝑁

385
𝑇𝑜𝑒𝑝 = × 2427
10394
= 90 farmers

385
𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑚𝑢𝑘ℎ𝑎 = × 1018
10394
= 38 farmers

385
𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑝 = × 4942
10394
=183 farmers

385
𝑇𝑜𝑒𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑔 = × 1313
10394
= 49 farmers

385
𝐺𝑜𝑒𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑖 = × 694
10394
= 25 farmers

3.3. Methods Commented [H95]: Why this here?

3.3.1. Data Collection

To assess the drivers and deterrents for OA adoption in Punakha Dzongkhag, there will
interviews carried out in the sample size of 385 farmers. Equal number of OA adopters and OA Commented [H96]: Rephrase the sentence.

avoiders will be interviewed to assess the causes of ???. To do so, a questionnaire comprising Commented [H97]: ???

all three types (structured, semi-structured and unstructured) of questions will be formulated. Commented [H98]: A questionnaire can’t be all three at the
same time.
Interviews of both individual and group will be held to ensure a good data collection depending
on the different advantages of the interviews. Group discussions and personal observations will Commented [H99]: Rephrase.
also be used to attain additional data. Officials and extension workers shall also be questioned
to further add onto the points and opinions on what could be done. All in one paragraph huh.

Tell us exactly what will be used to collect data and how data will be collected. Please read,
read and read to get good idea on writing this section.

3.3.2. Data Analysis

According to previous researches, the method for data analysis that can be used for this
proposal is the ethnographic decision tree model developed by Gladwin (Gladwin, 1989).

This method is used to predict a behavior of a group through individual behaviors. In this, the
interviewer gets the decision criteria on which the decisions are made by the decision makers.
The criteria got are then modeled into a tree model and can be programmed in to computer. Commented [H100]: ???

The interviewer approaches the farmer, acknowledging their expertise in OA and paying
attention to what they believe and what they do, accepting their views uncritically. This
technique exerts on viewing the points from their point or an insider’s view.
Commented [H101]: Hhm…please recall what was discussed in
the class. Here you need to specify the tests that you will run for
the different data you collected.
Work Plan

Date (Month) Activities Remarks Formatted: Font: Bold

June Additional research

July Scouting the site
August Prepare questionnaire
September Pre-test the Questionnaires
October Prepare the final questionnaire
November Move onto the sites
December Data collection
January Data collection
February Data analysis
March Interpretation of the collected data
April Prepare the first draft thesis
May Prepare the final draft and submit

Budgeting

Items and activities Quantity Unit cost (Nu.) Total Amount Formatted: Font: Bold

(Nos./kg/days/sets) (Nu.)
Printing 20 ??? 50 1,000
questionnaires
DSA for interviewers 20 interviewers for 10 200/day 4,000/day *10 days
days =40,000
Travel expenses 20 interviewers 2000/person 40,000
Refreshment and 20 interviewers 500/person 10,000
lunch for
interviewers
Refreshment for the 385 interviewees 50/person 19,250
interviewees
Thesis draft printing 1 300 300
Final draft printing 1 300 300
Total amount 110,850
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