Assoc. Professor (Dr.) Sonam Tashi currently serves as the Dean of Research and Industrial Linkages at the College of Natura Resources, Royal University of Bhutan. Prior to his current position, Dr. Tashi served as the Dean of Academic Affairs. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Bhutan Journal of Natural Resource Development and also serves as an Editor for the International Journal of Environment. Previously, he was an Associate Editor of the official journal of the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research. Dr. Tashi has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and is a regular reviewer for both national and international journals. He is specialized in organic and sustainable agriculture practices.
TupistraΒ β an Underutilized Plant Species and its Socio-economic Contributions
The Tupistra species, native to the Eastern Himalayas, serves as both a delicacy with therapeutic properties and a source of income for farmers. Although its domestication is getting popular among farmers, studies on this species remains relatively less. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the socio-economic contributions of Tupistra species. Using the snowball sampling method, 200 farmers across four districts who domesticate as well as depend on the wild collection of Tupistra species were identified and interviewed using semi- structured questionnaires. Results showed that farmers earned between Nu 5,100 to more than Nu 21,000 in a season, with income variations depending on market location and whether middlemen were involved or not. The income earned from the sale was used in various household expenses, including annual rituals, land tax payments, childrenβs education and the purchase of seeds and fertilizers. Approximately 65% of farmers depended on wild Tupistra collection for sale and consumption, while 35% practised domestication, with the majority (31%) cultivating about half an acre. By promoting domestication, rural livelihoods could be improved and at the same time pressure on wild collection could be reduced thus conserving Tupistra species in their natural habitats.