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Publication
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| 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 |
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| Volume |
48 |
| Issue |
3 |
| Month |
ปีที่ 48 ฉบับที่ 3 (พ.ค.-มิ.ย. 2563) |
| Year of Publication |
2020 |
| Page |
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| 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.
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| Keyword |
Bhutan; Sustainability; Certified crop; Economic valuation |
| Author |
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| Reviewing Status |
มีผู้ประเมินอิสระ |
| Status |
ได้รับการตอบรับให้ตีพิมพ์ |
| Level of Publication |
ชาติ |
| citation |
true |
| Part of thesis |
true |
| Attach file |
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| Citation |
0
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Journal Publication
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