Abstract. Tashi T, Tobgay T, Wangmo T, Kinley R, Gyeltshen S. 2023. Cropping pattern and intensity in the lower belt of Sarpang District, Bhutan. Asian J Agric 7: 1-6. Information on cropping and farming land use is vital for increasing crop production and identifying production gaps, including planning and investment. Increasing cropping intensity through adopting multiple approaches increases crop production rather than pressure on cropland expansion in many countries. In the case of Bhutan, there is a shortage of information on cropping and its intensity in Bhutan. This study presents the status of cropping patterns and cropping intensity at the household level in the Sarpang District using a multistage random sampling technique. Different forms of multiple cropping practices were recorded in the district but were mostly practiced on a small scale and were intermittent. The rice-based cropping pattern was popular in wetlands, while the maize or vegetable-based cropping pattern predominated in dryland. With an average cropping intensity of 112%, the district had a cropping intensity of 97% and 126% for dryland and wetland, respectively. The landholding size revealed a significant inverse relationship with cropping intensity among farmer characteristics. The district's most serious farming problems were a lack of irrigation water and wildlife crop predation. The study recommends a similar study at the national level and developing appropriate intensification of agricultural land use strategy to minimize pressure on cropland expansion in the future. Similarly, agricultural planning and investment merit assessment of crop diversity, crop production resources, cropping intensity gap, and crop mapping.

Aims: To examine the effects of different doses of biocharon the yield of chili and soil chemical properties under the Samtenling condition which represents the wet-subtropical agro-climatic zone of Bhutan. Study Design: Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used for the study with three replications and five treatments. Place and Duration of Study: Agriculture Research and Development Centre (ARDC), Samtenling, Sarpang district located in southern Bhutan, between October 2020 and May 2021. Methodology: Composite soil samples were collected before and after biochar addition and their chemical properties were analyzed at Soil and Plant Analytical Laboratory (SPAL), National Soil Services Centre, Thimphu. One hybrid variety (sv2319HA) of chili was used in all the treatments with five different biochar doses (No biochar addition, biochar addition @ 0.8 t acre-1, 1.6 t acre-1, 3.2 t acre-1, and 4.9 t acre-1).  Growth and yield data of chili were collected and analyzed using the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) at P = .05using R studio team (2021), version 1.4.1103. Results: The yield of chilli significantly differed (P = .03) under different doses of biochar but variations in growth were insignificant except the number of branches (P = .03). Overall, the yield of chili increased from 0.3 t acre-1 to 0.9 t acre-1 with an increase in biochar rates from 0.8 t acre-1 to 3.2 t acre-1. Biochar addition of 3.2 t acre-1 significantly increased the yield of chili (0.95 t acre-1) as compared to control (0.346 t acre-1). Soil pH, % nitrogen, available P (mg kg-1), available K (mg kg-1), CEC, % BS, and % organic matter increased with increasing quantities of rice husk biochar. Conclusion: The different doses of biochar addition to the soil had a significantly positive impact on the yield of chili as it also improved the soil’s chemical properties. The addition of 3.2 t acre-1of biochar may be recommended as per the study since the maximum yield of chilli was recorded in soil treated with biochar @3.2t acre-1.