The National Biodiversity Centre conducted the baseline documentation of native horticulture crop diversity in five project sites, viz., Bongo Gewog in Chukha Dzongkhag, Mendrelgang Gewog in Tsirang Dzongkhag, Bjoka Gewog in Zhemgang, Lumang Gewog in Trashi Gang, and Langthil Gewog in Trongsa District. The baseline line survey gathered the cultivated as well as wild edible crop list, local use, socio-economic parameters, traditional knowledge systems related to native horticulture crops, basic botanical details, and status of conservation and explored potential crops for product development, engaging 137 local participants.
","language":"eng","citation":{"text":"Sherab T, Dorji R, Wangchuk K, Zangmo T (2025). Checklist of Horticulture and wild edible plants from Bongo, Mendrelgang, Langthel, Lumang and Bjoka Gewog(s) of Bhutan. National Biodiversity Centre. 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Dataset Type Vocabulary: http://rs.gbif.org/vocabulary/gbif/dataset_type_2015-07-10.xml","keywords":["baseline documentation","wild edible plants","Bhutan","conservation","biodiversity","agrobiodiversity","Checklist","horticulture crops","plant genetic resource for food and agriculture"]}],"project":{"title":"Data Publishing Challenge- GBIF DM Workshop for Asia 2025 Dec","identifier":"EV-ASIA2025DM2","contacts":[{"type":"CONTENT_PROVIDER","primary":false,"userId":["https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1799-7887"],"salutation":"Mr.","firstName":"Thukten","lastName":"Sherab","position":[],"email":[],"phone":[],"homepage":[],"address":[]}],"awards":[],"relatedProjects":[]},"samplingDescription":{"methodSteps":[]},"countryCoverage":[],"collections":[],"dataDescriptions":[],"dataLanguage":"eng","purpose":"The baseline survey gathered the cultivated as well as wild edible crop list, local use, socio-economic parameters, traditional knowledge systems related to native horticulture crops, basic botanical details, and status of conservation and explored potential crops for product development, engaging 133 local participants.
A total of 423 plant diversity records were documented across five Gewogs: Bjoka, Bongo, Lumang, and Mendrelgang. Among these, Bongo Gewog reported the highest species richness, with 144 unique botanical species, followed by Lumang (86), Bjoka (72), Mendrelgang (63), and (58). This variation reflects both ecological heterogeneity and possibly different levels of ethnobotanical knowledge or survey intensity.
","introduction":"The project aims to enhance the participatory on-farm conservation, management, and sustainable utilization of local horticulture crop diversity in Zhemgang (Bjoka (South Central region)), Trashigang-Lumang (Eastern region), Trongsa-Langthel (Monpa community) (Central region), Tsirang-Mendrelgang (Southern region), and Chukha-Bongo/Logchina (Western region), an ecologically diverse region known for its rich agricultural heritage, with collaboration with ARDCs. The primary beneficiaries of this project will include local farmers, indigenous communities, and agricultural practitioners who rely on diverse horticultural crops for their livelihoods and food security. By leveraging a community-driven approach, the project seeks to promote the conservation of traditional and locally adapted horticultural crop varieties while concurrently fostering sustainable agricultural practices that ensure the long-term vitality of the region’s agricultural ecosystems. The project’s strategy revolves around a participatory approach that involves close collaboration between local farmers, agricultural experts, researchers, and relevant governmental agencies.
Problem statement
Rapid displacement of native horticulture crop diversity—The native horticultural crop varieties are poorly looked upon by both the research and development programs as well as farming communities owing to their low yield potential. Many such crops and varieties are getting marginalized, displaced, and are on the verge of extinction.2. Decreasing On-farm native Horticulture Crop Diversity- The limited access and availability of seeds and seedlings of native horticultural crops and varieties and the focus on the promotion of modern high-yielding varieties are rapidly leading to the decrease of overall on-farm diversity at large. The formal seed sector rarely supports the supply and promotion of native horticultural crops and varieties.3. Poor Understanding of Stakeholders on the Role of Native Horticultural crops for food security, Plant Breeding, and Adaptation to Climate Change- There is a need to educate and create awareness on the importance of crop diversity that serves as a “Reservoir of Genes” for seed security, food and nutritional security, dietary diversityand health, plant breeding and crop improvement, and demonstrate crop diversity as the sustainable means for adaptation and mitigation to climate change.4. Weakening traditional seed system—Generally, approximately 90% of the seed requirement of the farmers is still met from farm-saved seeds produced through the farmers’ seed system/informal seed system. The existing reciprocal seed exchange system among the farmers and the neighboring communities is the most assured, proven, and stable seed production and supply mechanism.
","gettingStarted":"The baseline documentation of native horticulture crop diversity was done through conducting meetings with the farmers of different chiwogs under one gewog. The crop diversity documentation was recorded with the use of MS-Excel and Epicollect software with a pre-designed template capturing different data about the crop diversity available in the gewog. The consent form was used for outlining the research project and an agreement for the participant to take part in the documentation.
","acknowledgements":"This baseline survey was conducted under the project “Participatory On-Farm Conservation and Sustainable Use of Native Horticulture Crop Diversity.” Funding was generously provided by the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTFEC). We are profoundly grateful for the indispensable cooperation, local expertise, and logistical support provided by the agricultural extension officers and farmer representatives of Bongo, Bjoka, Langthel, Lumang, and Mendrelgang gewogs. Their contributions were fundamental to the participatory nature and successful implementation of this work.
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