The future of yak farming in Bhutan: policy measures government should adopt

Survey-based research was conducted to explore and record perceptions of mountain pastoralists concerning the future of yak farming in Bhutan. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed and used to gather qualitative data from 106 yak herders selected randomly from seven geogs (blocks) within five of the ten yak-rearing districts. The data gathered were descriptively analysed and Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to test the effect of respondents' age on their perceptions about the future of yak farming. The study revealed that there was a significant effect (P<0.01) of the respondents' age on their perception of the future continuation of yak farming with the majority of the older respondents being in favour of continuing with it as the main source of their livelihood. These older pastoralists preferred yak farming over other emerging economic activities such as collection and sale of cordyceps and catering for the tourism sector mainly due to their confidence in yak farming as the most reliable source of livelihood. However, the incoming generation rated these emerging economic activities much higher as they lead to easier and more comfortable lives. The government has a mammoth task ahead in sustaining yak farming and making it attractive to the younger pastoralists through the formulation and application of appropriate government policy to support yak research and development.