This paper is the results of a Soil Fertility Management (SFM) survey conducted in 1999 to determine the status and trends in soil fertility management and associated soil conditions in Bhutan in the face socio-economic development of the last four decades. While the traditional SFM systems based on the use of animal manures still dominate, the ability to maintain and sustain these indigenous systems is being undermined by socio-economic factors. Households have been increasingly depending on fertilizer, especially urea, to increase soil fertility and maintain crop yields, and this trend is predicted to continue. Generally, soil nutrient status is poor. The major concerns are a low pH and nitrogen, phosphate status and imbalanced base nutrition. Since sustainable development is a key government development objective, the survey results were examined to determine the sustainability of existing SFM practices and soil use for crop production. In most situations sustainability is being maintained, but the assessment of SFM and crop production questions sustainability in some areas. Lack of sustainability is a concern on both wetland and dryland soils and among
households identified as being less able to manage soil fertility. This paper has identified implications for policy, research and extension.
