相互啓発実践型地域研究としての京都大学国際交流科目「ブータンの農村に学ぶ発展のあり方」現地スタディー・ツアー報告

Abstract

Agricultural traditions in Bhutan are transitioning at varying rates from small scale subsistence based systems to a market-oriented system of production. Amidst priorities placed in product diversification and production increase, a policy for organic farming was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests in 2007. This paper assesses the recent trends being discussed in Bhutan regarding organic agriculture, based on the historical context of agricultural modernization during the past 50 years. Information is based on interviews and a structured questionnaire survey conducted in three western districts of Bhutan during January to March, and September to November of 2014. While traditions of natural resource use and commodity trading remain, people’s consumption patterns and priorities are changing, leading to a material and symbolic re-ordering of agricultural practices. Gradual incorporation into the global market is giving rise to new concerns and need for improved monitoring systems.