Reviving the practice of upland paddy cultivation once again, two farmers in Khangma Chiwog under Yurung Gewog in Pema Gatshel gave it a try last year. And with the bountiful harvest this year, they do not regret the decision.
Upland paddy cultivation locally known as Pangbara or Kamja was an ancestral practice in the eastern parts of the country. But the practice declined over the years due to easy access to imported rice.
With support from the district agriculture sector, the two farmers cleared nearly ten acres of forest for upland paddy cultivation this year. They harvested four metric tons of paddy recently. And this has boosted them to continue with the cultivation.
“I am very happy with the yield and I am encouraged to continue with the cultivation. Moreover, the pandemic has given us more reasons to continue. It has taught us the importance of becoming food self-sufficient and self-reliant during this critical time,” said Kencho Wangdi, one of the farmers who took up the cultivation.
“With the ongoing pandemic, it is important that we focus on becoming self-sufficient. And fortunately, we had the opportunity to take up upland paddy cultivation as we had a huge fallow land in the village,” said Ugyen Dorji, the other farmer.
The farmers added that the district agriculture sector needs to encourage more people to cultivate upland paddy to enhance country’s rice self-sufficiency.
“I think we have an opportunity if we are provided a rice miller. This will ease the workload of farmers. Moreover, people will show interest and more farmers will start cultivating the crop. And more people cultivating means easier to handle wildlife menace. Otherwise, if it’s just one or two, then it’s difficult,” added Kencho Wangdi.
“If there is a program to provide seeds, it would encourage us to cultivate more and not just for self-consumption. Currently, only two of us are cultivating paddy. But in Khangma, there are more than a hundred households,” added Ugyen Dorji.
The agriculture sector also plans to distribute agriculture machinery.
“We have also kept budget this year to support with rice mill set. And we will buy- back the paddy that is produced by the youth. And we will increase the area in that community in Khangma with the seeds procured from the youth,” said Tashi Phuntsho, district agriculture officer.
Meanwhile, as per a review of upland rice assessments and its impacts conducted in 2012, upland paddy has the potential to ensure rice self-sufficiency at the household levels in remote and far flung areas. It will help farmers who do not own wetlands or in situations of acute irrigation water shortage.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sonam Pem
