2012 ©
             Publication
Journal Publication
Title of Article Valuation of soil ecosystem services of organic farming agroecosystem as an approach to natural resource management at Gasa, Bhutan 
Date of Acceptance 24 October 2019 
Journal
     Title of Journal แก่นเกษตร 
     Standard TCI 
     Institute of Journal กองบรรณาธิการ คณะเกษตรศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่น 
     ISBN/ISSN  
     Volume 48 
     Issue
     Month ปีที่ 48 ฉบับที่ 3 (พ.ค.-มิ.ย. 2563)
     Year of Publication 2020 
     Page  
     Abstract Bhutan is in pursuit of sustainable development through its development philosophy, Gross National Happiness (GNH). GNH upholds the ecological management of natural ecosystems as one of the approaches for the upliftment of the agrarian society by sustaining the ecosystem services (ES). Bhutan officially commenced organic farming (OF) since 2004 declaring Gasa as 100% organic district. OF is one of the proven approaches to improve soil quality, thus, enhancing the soil ES in contrast to conventional farming (CF). Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the value of four soil ES of organic agroecosystem at Gasa, Bhutan. Study was carried out at Goenkhatoe and Goenkhamae gewog (village block) under Gasa district. The ES (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK), soil formation, and soil moisture regulation) were identified based on the availability of substitutable goods used in CF in Bhutan. Carbon sequestration was studied to assess the contribution towards Bhutan’s pledge to remain carbon neutral. The two comparative studies on the state of ES were performed: (1) between the two study areas and (2) among the soils growing carrot, garlic, potato and the forest. The economic value was determined using the cost avoided valuation method. The economic value was estimated from the total cultivated area of 295.43 acres (farms growing certified crops: carrot, garlic and potato). Results showed that soil quality was good enough requiring no external synthetic inputs to provide ample ES without compromising the crop yield. The soil ES of OF was found higher at Goenkhatoe than Goenkhamae. When comparing the ES of soils of OF and forest, the ES were not significantly different except for nitrogen and phosphorus. Moreover, farmers could avoid the cost of $ 21,124, $0.406, $636,120 and $345,501 for not having to buy NPK fertilizer, soil, install carbon capture plant and irrigate field respectively. This study reveals OF has the potential to enhance soil ES by sustaining the good soil quality. Moreover, OF could reap huge economic benefits for not having to depend on external inputs. These findings would provide holistic knowledge about the potential of OF in soil ES provision for the decision makers and other farmers to make authentic decision. However, we recommend conducting similar studies at a regular basis since the result is subject to vary over time due to varied geophysical factors. An aggregate of such results over time would contribute to better decision making.  
     Keyword Bhutan; Sustainability; Certified crop; Economic valuation 
Author
605030034-5 Ms. SERKI WANGMO [Main Author]
Agriculture Master's Degree

Reviewing Status มีผู้ประเมินอิสระ 
Status ได้รับการตอบรับให้ตีพิมพ์ 
Level of Publication ชาติ 
citation true 
Part of thesis true 
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