Solar charged electric fences have come to the rescue for farmers of Durungri village under Dungmaed Gewog in Pema Gatshel. Villagers were sharing their crops with wild animals in the past. But the introduction of electric fences two years ago has put the villagers at ease today.
Around ten households in the village have solar-charged electric fences set up around their fields. The raw materials were provided for free by the government and the farmers had to arrange the manpower themselves. Farmers there mostly grow maize as well as vegetables and betel nuts as cash crops. In the past, despite their best efforts, they say they would lose their crops to wild animals especially to wild boars and deer. But since the fences were set up, they say their problems have been solved.
“We had to guard our crops day and night. We had to spend the nights in the field. These days after we finish sowing the seeds in the fields, we don’t have to stay back and guard it any more thanks to the electric fences,” said Leki Tshering, from Durungri village.
“It has been very beneficial to us. I was able to collect over 40 tonnes of maize last year after setting up the fences. The wild animals could not harm even a single plant. Now I am thinking of planting vegetables, pineapples and other crops,” added Tshewang Dorji, also from Durungri.
“We have already started to work more than before. Looking at the progress each year, we have started to increase our work,” shared Leki Tshering, from the same village.
Now, farmers say they are planning to expand their farm works. However, they said the solar-charged fences frequently break down and need constant repairing. They say they are requesting the officials to switching to fences charged by a regular power supply.
Thinley Dorji
