Paddy cultivation in Sarpang Dzongkhag is coming to an end. But in Dekiling Gewog farmers could not cultivate paddy in about 150 acres of paddy field.
Since there was an acute shortage of irrigation water, farmers decided to plant cash crops like oranges, millet and maize instead of leaving it fallow. The land act however, does not allow cultivation of any other crop, other than paddy in the paddy fields.
Until 2002, farmers used to cultivate paddy as they did not face water shortage problem. From 2003, they discontinued paddy cultivation, as the irrigation channel was washed away by the rain leaving them with no water.
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Lack of budget was cited as the reason for not constructing a new irrigation channel. According to the farmers, construction of a new irrigation channel began in 2010 after budget was received from the government. But once again it was washed away by rain water. Farmers said they are ready to carry out paddy cultivation, if they are provided with proper irrigation water.
It has been more than a decade that the owners of the 150 acre paddy field did not cultivate paddy. The farmers requested the Gewog Tshogde to either provide them with irrigation water or convert it to dry land.
According to Gomchen, Dekiling Gup, if the irrigation channel cannot be constructed, it would be a waste for the farmers to leave their fields empty. He said, it would be beneficial for the farmers if the government could convert it into dry land so that they can plant cash crops.
The matter was submitted and discussed during the 8th Dzongkhag Tshogdu held last month. The Tshogdu directed the Agriculture officials to carry out a study and submit the report to the Ministry of Agriculture.
