Rain-fed streams are the main irrigation source for the rice growers in Tsirang. But with the dry weather in the last few days, farmers say it has affected their paddy cultivation works. Paddy is the main staple diet and for some, it is also the main source of income.
Three neighbours share a stream to cultivate paddy in Dekiling chiwog in Semjong Gewog. But the stream is almost dry with no rain in the last few days. They take turns to water their fields.
“I don’t think we will have a good harvest this year. When we have enough water we can even sell rice and make some cash and bear expenses for our school-going children. I have over five acres of wetland. In the past, I used to harvest more than 3,000 kilograms of paddy now it has reduced to about 1,000 kilograms, ” said Purna Bdr. Vista.
“When it rained, we took the opportunity to transplant paddy. But as the weather changed, we are now facing difficulty in completing the transplantation. We still have many empty fields. Now we have only a few days to transplant paddy before the season ends,” said Hari Maya Vista.
Some farmers said the shortage of irrigation water is one of the reasons, farmers leave their fields fallow.
“In the past week, when there was continuous rain we couldn’t carry out the transplantation because our seedlings were not ready but now we are facing water shortage,” said Bhim Dhal Subba from Tsholingkhar Gewog.
Meanwhile, the officials are also equally worried about the unfavourable weather pattern for now. According to Annual Performance Agreement 2018-2019, Tsirang dzongkhag met the expected target of producing 4,990 metric tons of paddy. This fiscal year, Tsirang is targeting to produce over 12,000 metric tons of cereals like rice, maize, buckwheat, wheat and quinoa.
