Is Bhutan destined for 100% organic? Assessing the economy-wide effects of a large-scale conversion policy.

ABSTRACT: Organic agriculture (OA) is considered a strategy to make agriculture more sustainable. Bhutan has embraced the ambitious goal of becoming the world's first 100% organic nation. By analysing recent on-farm data in Bhutan, we found organic crop yields on average to be 24% lower than conventional yields. Based on these yield gaps, we assess the effects of the 100% organic conversion policy by employing an economy-wide computable general equilibrium (CGE) model with detailed representation of Bhutan's agricultural sector incorporating agroecological zones, crop nutrients, and field operations. Despite a low dependency on agrochemicals from the onset of this initiative, we find a considerable reduction in Bhutan's GDP, substantial welfare losses, particularly for non-agricultural households, a

SUBMITTER: Feuerbacher A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5999226 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature