PAPER ID:IJIM/V.2(VII)/217-225/29

AUTHOR: Sangay Tshering , Dr. Rekha Chhetri and Kinley Dorji

TITLE: CHANGES IN LAND USE PATTERN DUE TO HAZELNUT PROJECT IN NGATSANG GEWOG, MONGAR, BHUTAN

ABSTRACT: A study carried out in Ngatsang Gewog under Mongar Dzongkhag, Bhutan to find out what factors motivated farmers to participate in hazelnut plantations and also to determine the changes in land use pattern. The 70% of total hazelnut tree growers were selected through stratified random sampling method for questionnaire based survey. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16.0. A study found that the average land use increased from 37 acres to 44 acres after hazelnut tree plantation. Fallow land and dry land used increased from seven acres to 28 acres and 75 acres to 87 acres respectively after hazelnut tree introduction. Average annual income was Nu.55804 per households which was comparatively profitable than of Nu 34823 per households before hazelnut plantation. It has been concluded that the wild animal damage (29%), water scarcity (24%) followed by pest and disease infection (22%) to hazelnut trees were major constraints. Frequent monitoring and extension services should be made for the healthy growth of hazelnut trees.

KEYWORDS: Hazelnut trees, land use, Ngatsang Gewog, monitoring services, acres. 

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