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Visualizing Sustainability of Selective Mountain Farming Systems from Far-eastern Himalayas to Support Decision Making

Author

Listed:
  • Bandana Shakya

    (Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
    International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Lalitpur 44700, GPO Box 3226, Nepal
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Anil Shrestha

    (Department of Viticulture and Enology, California State University, Fresno 93740, CA, USA)

  • Ghanashyam Sharma

    (The Mountain Institute India (TMI), Gangtok 737101, Sikkim, India)

  • Tulsi Gurung

    (College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Lobesa 14001, P.O Wangdu, Bhutan)

  • Dollo Mihin

    (North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project, Shillong, Meghalaya 793001, India)

  • Shuo Yang

    (Yunnan Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kunming 650034, China)

  • Amba Jamir

    (Sustainable Development Forum Nagaland, Kohima, Nagaland 797001, India)

  • Soe Win

    (Department of Plant Breeding, Physiology and Ecology, Yezin Agricultural University, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar)

  • Xi Han

    (Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China)

  • Yongping Yang

    (Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China)

  • Dhrupad Choudhury

    (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Lalitpur 44700, GPO Box 3226, Nepal)

  • Flurina Schneider

    (Centre for Development and Environment, Department of Integrative Geography, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

Abstract

Mountain farming systems rely on both empirical and academic knowledge. Their sustainability depends on how effectively diverse knowledge is used for solution-oriented decision making. For mountains, decisions must be conducive to rural farmers whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and related activities. Adopting transdisciplinary research approach, we define a composite Sustainability Space indicator that will help decision makers better understand the ingredients for sustainability, and formulate policy and management decisions to reinforce on-the-ground sustainability. Sustainability Space was derived through analysis of the positive and negative impact factors co-defined by community and disciplinary experts, and visualized through a radar diagram. We used Principal Component Analysis to understand relationships between factors. The results on Sustainability Spaces for eight cases of farming systems from the far-Eastern Himalayas indicated that the sustainability of farming systems is strengthened if decisions holistically cater to (i) geophysical pre-requisites, (ii) ecological foundations, (iii) integrated processes and practices, (iv) resources, knowledge, and value systems, (v) stakeholders’ development and economic aspirations, (vi) well-being of farming communities, and (vii) government support mechanisms. More equitable the attention to these seven components, the higher the sustainability of farming systems in this region could be.

Suggested Citation

  • Bandana Shakya & Anil Shrestha & Ghanashyam Sharma & Tulsi Gurung & Dollo Mihin & Shuo Yang & Amba Jamir & Soe Win & Xi Han & Yongping Yang & Dhrupad Choudhury & Flurina Schneider, 2019. "Visualizing Sustainability of Selective Mountain Farming Systems from Far-eastern Himalayas to Support Decision Making," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:6:p:1714-:d:215921
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Edward Kassem & Oldrich Trenz, 2020. "Automated Sustainability Assessment System for Small and Medium Enterprises Reporting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-23, July.
    2. Troullaki, Katerina & Rozakis, Stelios & Kostakis, Vasilis, 2021. "Bridging barriers in sustainability research: Α review from sustainability science to life cycle sustainability assessment," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).

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