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Community Perspectives on the On-Farm Diversity of Six Major Cereals and Climate Change in Bhutan

Author

Listed:
  • Tirtha Bdr. Katwal

    (Specialist III-Maize, RNR Research and Development Center, Yusipang, Department of Forest and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Thimphu, P.O. Box 212, Bhutan)

  • Singay Dorji

    (National Coordinator, Global Environment Facility-Small Grants Programme, UNDP, Thimphu, P.O. Box 162, Bhutan)

  • Rinchen Dorji

    (Biodiversity Officers, National Biodiversity Center, Serbithang, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, Thimphu, P.O. Box 875, Bhutan)

  • Lhab Tshering

    (Biodiversity Officers, National Biodiversity Center, Serbithang, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, Thimphu, P.O. Box 875, Bhutan)

  • Mahesh Ghimiray

    (Rice Specialist III, RNR Research and Development Center, Bajo, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, Wangduephodrang, P.O. Box 1263, Bhutan)

  • Ganesh B. Chhetri

    (Agriculture Specialist II, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, Thimphu, P.O. Box 392, Bhutan)

  • Tashi Yangzome Dorji

    (Program Director, National Biodiversity Center, Serbithang, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, Thimphu, P.O. Box 875, Bhutan)

  • Asta Maya Tamang

    (Principal Biodiversity Officer, National Biodiversity Center, Serbithang, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, Thimphu, P.O. Box 875, Bhutan)

Abstract

Subsistence Bhutanese farmers spread across different agro-ecological zones maintain large species and varietal diversity of different crops in their farm. However, no studies have been undertaken yet to assess why farmers conserve and maintain large agro-biodiversity, the extent of agro-ecological richness, species richness, estimated loss of traditional varieties and threats to the loss of on-farm agro-biodiversity. Information on the number of varieties cultivated by the farmers for six important staple crops were collected from nine districts and twenty sub-districts spread across six different agro-ecological zones of the country to understand farmers reasons for maintaining on-farm crop diversity, estimate agro-ecological richness, species richness and the overall loss of traditional varieties, to know the famers’ level of awareness on climate change and the different threats to crop diversity. The results from this study indicated that an overwhelming 93% of the respondents manage and use agro-biodiversity for household food security and livelihood. The average agro-ecological richness ranged from 1.17 to 2.26 while the average species richness ranged from 0.50 to 2.66. The average agro-ecological richness indicates a large agro-ecological heterogeneity in terms of the different species of staple crops cultivated. The average species richness on the other hand shows that agro-ecological heterogeneity determines the type and extent of the cultivation of the six different staple cereals under consideration. The overall loss of traditional varieties in a time period of 20 years stands at 28.57%. On climate change, 94% of the farmers recognize that local climate is changing while 86% responded that they are aware of the potential impacts of climate change on their livelihoods. Climate change and associated factors was considered the most imminent threat to the management and loss of on-farm agro-biodiversity. The results from this study indicate that on-farm agro-biodiversity conservation, development and utilization programs have to be more specific to the different agro-ecological zones considering the agro-ecological heterogeneity. Attention has to be given to individual crops that have low average species richness and high percentage of loss of traditional varieties. The impact of climate change could offset the traditional seed system which primarily supports the persistence of on-farm agro-biodiversity in several ways.

Suggested Citation

  • Tirtha Bdr. Katwal & Singay Dorji & Rinchen Dorji & Lhab Tshering & Mahesh Ghimiray & Ganesh B. Chhetri & Tashi Yangzome Dorji & Asta Maya Tamang, 2015. "Community Perspectives on the On-Farm Diversity of Six Major Cereals and Climate Change in Bhutan," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:5:y:2015:i:1:p:2-16:d:45160
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bellon, Mauricio R., 2004. "Conceptualizing Interventions to Support On-Farm Genetic Resource Conservation," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 159-172, January.
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    1. Pradeep Rai & Yadunath Bajgai & Jimba Rabgyal & Tirtha Bdr Katwal & Anthony Ryan Delmond, 2022. "Empirical Evidence of the Livelihood Vulnerability to Climate Change Impacts: A Case of Potato-Based Mountain Farming Systems in Bhutan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-27, February.
    2. Devkota, Niranjan & Paija, Nirash, 2020. "Impact of Climate Change on Paddy Production: Evidence from Nepal," Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), vol. 17(2), December.
    3. Lekh Raj Galley & Kinzang Dorji, 2023. "An Assessment of Climate Change Impact on the Livelihoods of Farmers at Deling Village in Southern Bhutan," International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research, Malwa International Journals Publication, vol. 9(4), August.

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