Dagana district has made significant strides in reducing poverty over the last five years. According to the Poverty Analysis Report of 2022, the district has a 9.9 per cent poverty rate meaning that 10 out of every 100 people are living in poverty. But in 2017, the district’s poverty rate stood at 33.3 per cent. District officials attribute this advancement to improved agriculture and livestock sectors, and farmers taking more interest in farming works. The poverty rate is derived using the poverty line which is the minimum level of income needed to secure the necessities of life.
Dagana has witnessed a notable increase in the number of dairy, poultry, piggery and fishery farms. In five years, the dairy farm count has surged from a little over 120 in 2017 to over 500 dairy farms last year.
Furthermore, farmers in Dagana have embraced modern farming techniques and practices to cultivate more vegetables and cash crops. Farm mechanization, including low-cost water harvesting ponds, mulching plastics, drip irrigation sets, mini power tillers and greenhouses among others has boosted agricultural productivity. The government along with donor agencies supported the farmers.
“It was a kind of targeted intervention whereby we supported those progressive farmers in various means and forms like farm mechanization and land development areas. We made so many investments in these areas. This could have helped us to reduce poverty after five years,” said Sonam Jamtsho, District Planning Officer.
“In Dagana, people are more interested in livestock farming. We supported the farmers and they have also worked hard. I think that is the reason why we were successful in reducing poverty,” said Pemba Wangchuk, Officiating District Livestock Officer.
“Our interventions would be promoting our own agricultural produce brand of quality for export. We have already opened up Lhamoidzingkha as a formal trade route. With the opening of the gate, I think that it will help our farmers export their cash crops like orange and vegetables like winter chilli,” said Tashi Tobgay, Dagana Dzongda.
Moreover, in the last five years, the district has also prioritized infrastructure development to enhance market accessibility. Around seven roads have been constructed, connecting different chiwogs, while two Gewog centre roads and farm roads were blacktopped respectively.
According to officials, improved access to healthcare, water, and sanitation has also played a significant role in improving the lives of people in Dagana.
“The health sector has also worked on improving medical services and sanitation. I think this is one of the reasons for decline in the poverty. For example, infant and maternal mortality rate has also decreased. We have also provided medical services like ultrasound to the people which have reduced the expenditure. These are the other reasons for decline in the poverty,” said Dorji Wangchuk, District Health Officer.
And their effort to reduce poverty and improve the livelihood of people does not stop here. The district is also planning to promote eco-tourism and bring more economic opportunities.
Krishna Ghalley, Dagana
Edited by Tshering Zam
