There is no bigger happiness than that of harvesting paddy in a place like Haa where there is no history of such farming.
The successful paddy cultivation at Balamnang in Haa has kindled hopes in the farmers of Samar Gewog to produce rice from their farms.
This season, the first yield of paddy at Balamnang is expected to be around 520 kilograms.
The 70 decimal paddy field cultivated with Jakar Ray Naab is a meadow of hope for the farmers of Samar Gewog for growing their own rice from now on.
During the October 6 harvest, a few experienced farmers huddled outside the paddy field eager to lay their hands on their hard work. Armed with a sickle in their hand, though inexperienced, many lined up to cut paddy for the first time with much excitement.
“We don’t cultivate paddy in Haa and never saw anyone doing it. It is grown only in Gakiling and Sangbaykha. This is the first time. It feels different to see people transplant and harvest paddy in Haa,” said Sonam Dema.
Another farmer, Dorji said, “people are inspired to cultivate paddy looking at the harvest and support from the Dzongkhag.
“I am thinking of cultivating paddy in my land from next year. Since the yield is good this time, next season, we will work hard.”
The department of agriculture and Haa Dzongkhag administration initiated the paddy cultivation on trial in 2016 with two varieties of rice, Khangma Maap and Jakar Ray Naab. With better yield of Jakar Ray Naab, the entire land was cultivated with Jakar Ray Naab this year. The seedlings were raised in Haa.
“Jakar Ray Naab is cultivated in higher altitudes. It grows above 2600 metres. This variety is cultivated and popular in Bumthang,” said the Dzongkhag’s Senior Agriculture Officer, Karchung.
Next year, with adequate irrigation water and interested farmers, the department of agriculture and Dzongkhag administration plan to carry out Jakar Ray Naab cultivation in a large scale.
