Dr. Sonam Tashi
Name: Sonam Tashi (PhD)
Contact Details: College of Natural Resources
Royal University of Bhutan, Lobesa
Punakha, Bhutan.
Email: stashi.cnr@rub.edu.bt
dril.cnr@rub.edu.bt
Phone: +975-17768276
Career Profile
2021– Current: Dean, Research and Industrial Linkages, College of Natural Resources, Lobesa.
2019 – Current: Associate Professor, College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan. 2016 – 2019: Dean, Academic Affairs, College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan.
2012 – 2016: Senior Lecturer, College of Natural Resources, Lobesa, Royal University of Bhutan.
2008 – 2012: Lecturer, College of Natural Resources, Lobesa, Royal University of Bhutan.
2003 – 2007: Deputy Chief Horticulture Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Thimphu.
2001 – 2003: General Manager, Druk Seed Corporation, Paro, Bhutan.
1999 – 2001: Asst. Research Officer, Renewal Natural Resources Research Centre, Jakar, Bhutan.
Education
PhD in Agricultural Science, University of Bonn, Germany (2015).
Master’s in Agriculture, University of Melbourne, Australia (2008).
BSc Agriculture (Horticulture Major), University of Philippines, Los Baños, Philippines (1998).
- Editor-in-Chief, Bhutan Journal of Natural Resources Development (July 2023 till date)
- Editor, International Journal of Environment (2020 till date).
- Editor, Bhutan Journal of Natural Resources and Development (2016 till date).
- Associate Editor, International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (2015–2022)
- Member, Advisory Committee on Food Security (2020 till 2022).
- Committee Member, South-Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth (SAPLING). (2020 till 2022).
- Board Director, Bhutan Association of Women’s Enterprise, Bhutan (2018 till date).
- Research Ambassador (Bhutan), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) (2014 to 2016).
- Executive Member, Towards Organic Asia, Mekong Region and Bhutan (2015 till 2021).
- Academic Board Member (2016–2018 and 2022–2025)
- Chair, Asian Food Composition Database Project Steering Committee (July 2022 till date)
- Founding Advisor, Earth Guardians Bhutan (2016-2023)
- Founding Advisor, Y-PEER club (2017-2023)
- Founding Advisor, Yoga club (2017-2023
The National Order of Merit (Gold) (2012).
1. Projects and Consultancies
- Food and Nutrient Security Policy Review funded by the World Food Programme (2018)
- Medicinal Grass funded by Bluezone Swiss Systems Biologie (2021-2024)
- Rural Livelihood, Climate Risk and Coping Strategies in Bhutan funded by FAO (2021-2022)
- Jholmal Research in Chili Production funded by ICIMOD (2020-2021)
- Enhancing Food Security of Smallholder Farmers in Bhutan Through Building Capacity in Climate-smart Agriculture funded by USIAD (2022-2023)
- Vermicomposting and Climate-smart Agriculture Practices funded by BTFEC (2021-2022)
- Integrating Geospatial Technologies in Planning and Managing Climate-smart Agriculture in Southa Asia funded by Asia Pacific Network (2021-2023
- Multidimensional Poverty of Indigenous Groups in South and Southeast Asia funded by ADBI (2022-2023)
- Value Chain Analysis of Rice and Potato funded by FAO (2023)
- Understanding Social Capital and Economic Preference of Indigenous Groups in Bhutan funded by ADBI (2024-2025)
- Challenges in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and Youth Engagement in Agriculture funded by CIRAD and Tarayana (2025-2027)
2. Publications
Main publications
Timilsina, R.R., Pradeep, P., Pelzin, S., Rahut, B. R., Timsina, J., & Tashi, S. (2025). A Roadmap for Agricultural Transformation in Nepal: Addressing Policy for Youth Empowerment and Institutional Quality Improvement. In Dinesh Panday, Prabhat Khanal, Bishnu Raj Upreti, Jagadish Timsina (Eds.), Agriculture Sector Transformation in Nepal: A Roadmap (pp. 113–129). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-91717-2.
David, W., Auerbach, R., Bügel, G.S., Chander, M., Saeed, F. M., Hernandez, F. L., Melati, M., Tashi, S. & Sinicom, S. (2025). Organic Food System: an overview and its challenges for healthy food systems. Organic Agriculture (Springer). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-025-00489-6
Chhetri, R., Tashi, S., Yangchen, U., Halvorson, S.J. & Population Reference Bureau. (2024, July). Securing the Future for Bhutan’s Small-Scale Farming Communities With Climate-Smart Agriculture. [Policy Brief: RTAC-USAID]
Halvorson, J. S., Chhetri, R., Tashi, S. & Yangchen, U. (2024). Mountain Farming and Resilience in Pemagatshel, Eastern Bhutan. FOCUS on Geography. DOI:10.21690/foge/2024.67.3p. https://www.focusongeography.org/
Dawa, T., Dhendup, S., Tashi, S. & Rosso, A. M. (2024). University Students’ Perspective on ChatGPT and Technology Literacies. Educational Innovation and Practice. DOI:10.17102/eip.7.2024.10.
Tashi, D, Tashi, S, Chhetri, R, Yangchen, U & Halvorson, J. S. (2023). Smallholder Farming and Climate-Smart Agriculture: A View from Pemagatshel District. ISBN : 978-99936-994-6-0 https://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/PEER/PEERscience/PGA_374638
Dorji, P., Tashi, S., Dorji. U., Tshering, K., Tshomo, U., & Gyeltshen, T. (2023). Diversity of Pollinator Species and Effect of Pollination on Strawberry Yield and Quality. International Journal of Agricultural Sciences – Sri Lanka. 18(3). p. 443-454. DOI:10.4038/jas.v18i3.10055
Chay, P., Rahut., B.D., Tashi, S. & Chamberlin, J. (2023). Does Wild Food Contribute to Food Security? Evidence From Rural Bhutan. Research Square. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2955904/v1. ADBI
Tashi, S. (2022). Organic Agriculture: Building resilience in changing climate for Sustainable Food Systems. IFOAM 50th Anniversary Commemorative Conference – Organics for All (pp 161-164). IFOAM.
Tashi, S., Wangchuk, K., Udas, E., Gaki, S. & Aryal, K. (2022). A solution at the doorsteps: Improved biofertilizer enhances soil fertility and yield of Chili (Capsicum annum L.) in Bhutan. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture. 10.30486/IJROWA.2022.1952686.1416
Tashi, S. (2022). Bhutan’s challenges and prospects in becoming a 100% organic country. Heinrich–Böll–Stiftung, Asia Dialogue, Hongkong: https://hk.boell.org/en/2022/09/08/bhutans-challenges-and-prospects-becoming-100- organic-country
Tashi, S. & Chhetri, S. (2022). Tutu Rai Integrated Farming, Langchenphu Gewog, Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag. In S. Tashi, U. Yangchen, Y. Dhala & D.B.Gurung (Eds.). Case Studies of Successful Farmers, Agri-enterprises and Farmers’ Groups and Cooperatives in Bhutan (pp. 155-157). Thimphu, Bhutan: Kuensel Corporation Ltd.
Tashi, S. & Chhetri, S. (2022). Tashi Gongphel Dairy Farm, Dewathang, Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag. In S. Tashi, U. Yangchen, Y. Dhala & D.B.Gurung (Eds.). Case Studies of Successful Farmers, Agri-enterprises and Farmers’ Groups and Cooperatives in Bhutan (pp. 99-102). Thimphu, Bhutan: Kuensel Corporation Ltd.
Tashi, S. (2020). Farmers’ nutrient management practices in organic apple production in Bhutan. In Ecofruit. Proceedings of 19th International Conference on Organic Fruit Growing. Hohenheim, Germany.
Dorji, K, Tashi, S., Biesmeijer, C. J., Leclercq, N., Vereecken, J. N. & Marshall, L. (2022). Pollinators and crops in Bhutan: Insect abundance improves fruit quality in Himalayan apple orchards. Journal of Pollination Ecology. 31(5), 39-52.DOI: 10.26786/1920-7603(2022)670
Nepal, A., Tashi, S., Chhetri, R., Dorji, T., Dorji, U. & Sapkota, S. (2022). Impacts of Climate Change on Hazelnut (Corylus avellane L.) Cultivation in Bhutan. Vietnam Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 5(2): 1445-1455. doi.org/10.31817/vjas.2022.5.2.02
Tamang, D. N. & Tashi, S. (2020). Effect of drying time and temperature on biochemical composition of Moringa oleifera leaf powder. Research Journal of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences. 8(1). 34-39. ISSN2320-6063
Thinley, P. & Tashi, S. (2020). Farmers’ perception on transitioning to organic agriculture (OA) in Tsirang district, Bhutan. Research Journal of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences. 8(1). 40-9. ISSN2320-6063.
Norbu, S. & Tashi, S. (2020). Impact of Climate Variability on Paddy Productivity in Shaba Gewog, Paro. Bhutanese Journal of Agriculture. 2(1) 99-114.
Dorji, C. Tashi, S. & Chhetri, R. (2020). Assessment of Water Shortage and Potential for Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting in Rural Development Training Centre, Zhemgang Town, Bhutan. Bhutan Journal of Natural Resources & Development. 7(1). 26-39. ISSN 2409–2797.
Yeshey, D., Tashi, S., Ghimiray, M., & Chhogyel, N. (2019). Morpho-agronomic analysis of new rice germplasm at Agriculture Research and Development Centre, Bajo. Bhutanese Journal of Agriculture, 2(1). 13-25. ISSN 2616-3926.
Gyeltshen, D. & Tashi, S. (2019). Evaluation of different sun drying methods in chilli. Bhutanese Journal of Agriculture 2(1) 42-52. ISSN 2616-3926.
Dorji, P., Tashi, S., Katel, O. & Tshotsho. (2018). Food and Nutrition Security in Bhutan. WFP Bhutan, Report, Thimphu, Bhutan
Wangmo, P., Tashi, S., Dorji, L., Wangchi, D., Wangdi, N. & Gyeltshe, T. (2018). Assessment of community-based maize seed production in eastern Bhutan. Bhutanese Journal of Agriculture, 1(1). 77-91. ISSN 2616-3926.
Basu, A., Basu, S. K., Sengupta, R., Asif, M., Li, X., Li, Y., Hirani, A., Zandi, P., Sajad, M., Solorio‐Sánchez, F., Mbuya, A. O., Cetzal‐Ix, W., Tashi, S., Jongthap, T., Dhungyel, D. and Ahmad, M. (2017). Important Plant‐Based Phytonutrients. In Phytonutritional Improvement of Crops, N. Benkeblia (Ed.). doi:10.1002/9781119079972.ch1
Tashi, S. (2016). Prospects of Organic Farming in Bhutan. Ecology and Development Series No. 98, 2016. Centre for Development Research, ZEF, Bonn, Germany.
Tashi, S. & Wangchuk, K. (2016). Organic vs. Conventional rice production: Comparative assessment under farmers’ condition in Bhutan. Organic Agriculture 6, 255-265. DOI: 101007/s13165-0132-4;
ashi, S. & Wangchuk, K. (2016). Prospects of organic farming in Bhutan: A SWOT analysis. Advances in Agriculture 9. DOI::10.1155/2016/1717352.
Daniel, N., Tashi, S., Rahmann, G., & Denich, M. (2014). Organic Agriculture in Bhutan: potential and challenges. Springer, 4(3), 209-221, DOI: 10.1007/s13165-014-0075- 1.
7. Popular publications
Climate-smart Agriculture Training Manual. (October 2022). Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research, Japan. College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan.
Case Studies of Successful Farmers, Agri-enterprises and Farmers’ Groups and Cooperatives in Bhutan. August 2022. (Editor).
Training Manual on Organic Fertilizer Production. February 2022. (Editor).
Package of Practices for Organic RNR Commodities. May 2020. (Editor).
Proceedings of the Conference on GI Food and Handicraft, Thimphu, Bhutan. August 2015. (Editor).
Manual on Fruit Production in Bhutan. November 2012. (Editor).
8. Conferences and Workshops
Paper presentation on Tupistra nutans – an Underutilized Plant Species and Its Socio-economic Contributions during the National Conference on Climate Crisis, Natural Disasters, Environmental Sustainability, Agriculture and Food, College of Natural Resources, March 25-27, 2025.
Resource person on Integrating Geo-spatial Technologies in Climate-smart Agriculture in South Asia training workshop. 15-18 August 2023.
Paper presentation on Water Shortage Adaptation for Food and Nutrition Security, during the conference on Climate Change on Mountain Livelihood and Food Security, College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Lobesa, 11 March 2021.
Paper presentation on The role of organic Agriculture in Building Climate Resilient Farms during the Conference on Climate Resilient Agriculture organized by the Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Bangalore, India, 3-4 Dec 2020.
Resource person in ToT on Climate Smart Agriculture, College of Natural Resources, Lobesa, 14-18 September 2020.
Paper presentation on Sufficiency economy initiatives in Bhutan during the International Conference on Making Peace with Earth, organized by the Right Livelihood College, Bangkok and The Chulalongorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, 3 July 2020.
Paper presentation on Bhutan Converting to Organic Agriculture, organized by the College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, coinciding with the launching of BSc Organic Program, July 2019.
Keynote Speaker at Global Organic Meet 2018, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India, 22-24 April 2018.
Resource person in Young Organic Farmers’ Forum Mekong Region and Bhutan, 29 Nov-3 Dec 2017.
Host and Organizer of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) conference on Conservation Agriculture, Paro, Bhutan, 28-30 August 2017.
Paper presentation on Sustainable Rural Development through Gross National Happiness (GNH) Perspective – Challenges and Interventions during the International Conference on “The Role of University in Promoting GNH in Practice and Sustainable Rural Development,” Sherubtse College, Kanglung, Bhutan, 10-11 March 2017.
Paper presentation on Research in Mountain Agriculture in Bhutan during the Higher Education on Mountain Agriculture workshop, Kathmandu, Nepal, 21-22 February 2017.
Paper presentation on Potential GI Produce and Product of Bhutan in Intellectual Property Rights for Business and Academia Excellence, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Thimphu, Bhutan, 22-23 June 2016.
Panel discussion on ‘How to make farming interesting to young farmers?’ International Gross National Happiness Conference, Paro, Bhutan, 4-6 November 2015,
Paper presentation on ‘Ethics in Agriculture’ in the International Organic Symposium in South Korea, 20-22 September 2015.
Paper presentation the World Food Day Colloquium – Family Farming – a solution for food and nutrition security, University of Hohenheim, Germany, 16 October 2014.
Led Science team workshop in the International Conference on Organic and Ecological Agriculture in Mountain Ecosystem, Thimphu, Bhutan, 5-8 March 2014.
For additional achievements and publications, please contact stashi.cnr@rub.edu.bt