In response to famous economist Jeferry Sachs' advise on Bhutan's rapid progress by investing in chemical fertilizers

The article can be found on Business Bhutan at the following link:

http://www.businessbhutan.bt/?p=2521


Mr. famous Sachs can pocket his $£$£ worthy advise, as much as we must thank him for all the advises and analysis done in the few days time he spent searching for happiness (which I hope he did find), we very much appreciate it but thank you. It would be fair to bring to his notice organic 'tasty' food makes a happy man and 'frozen' food makes a man cold (all pun intended). Soil is organic, it gives birth to life not just trees from where bills are produced, one needs to treat it with respect, perhaps the Red Indian's point never got into their ears. With Seattle- Chief Seattle was forgotten and his words buried under bulldozers and fertilizers. Now with all good intentions and far sight I hope, he has put Bhutanese people in dilemma (tried to-failingly so). Organic Vs Inorganic? We talk of substance abuse to our human bodies, what about abusing the soil? Well, soil cannot talk back, I forgot and neither can the insects that thrive in them.

On a scientific note in the virgin rainforests of the Amazon it was found that they were not 'virgin' after all; there were evidences of past human settlement and the presence of tera preta soil was discovered which was then linked to the rich nature of the soil and the growth of the rainforest. Bhutanese have been practising something closely similar for centuries- compost pit manure. Also, maybe Mr. Sachs did not notice the primary forests of the country, perhaps he could have thought nature was fertilizing it because litter fall manure is one of the best natural fertilizers. There are already natural mechanisms at play Mr. Sachs which are beyond your monetary understanding, while rapid development, increase in food production and decrease in poverty are very much desirable, it is a terrible long term strategy to use chemical fertilizers, it results in soil and water pollution among many other ailments. Patience is a virtue we all learn, when your soil becomes sour and food 'production' lesser in quantity perhaps you will remember the Shangrila, till then to alleviate our poverty how about giving us some money for reducing your carbon sequestration in the world. I think you OWE countries like us, US!

I could say a thousand things but to sum it up our value system is different, we as Bhutanese think differently and it is always an environmental friendly thought. Come back in ten years Mr. Sachs or even sooner, or actually, we will come to you- export you some organic Bhutanese food!

If the Himalayas were the Sahara, I would say Mr. Sachs give us some chemical food, but since we are THE Himalayas, I say Mr. Sachs, you need to get back to your roots.