Despite efforts from the government and farmers, more than sixty acres of paddy fields in Punakha have been left fallow this year. Farmers could not complete their paddy transplantation works on time due to shortage of irrigation water and late monsoon. The District Agriculture sector says this will lead to a decrease in paddy yield by more than ninety-two thousand kilograms this year.
Among five affected gewogs, Guma Gewog was the most severely impacted. More than 30 acres of paddy fields are left fallow in the Gewog.
Farmers say paddy transplantation, which otherwise used to be a work of joy, was quite stressful this time.
Due to the shortage of irrigation water and late monsoon, farmers had to rush their paddy transplantation works. The water shortage could not be addressed even with the government providing water pumps for the farmers.
Disappointed with the experience this year, farmers of Guma Gewog expressed the need for a reliable water supply to avoid such problems in the future.
“I have left around 50-decimal of paddy fields empty this year. This means the yield will decrease by more than 1200 kilograms. So, we are worried about paddy production as we fully depend on rice cultivation. Paddy plantation work is of no use if there isn’t an adequate water supply. Therefore, we would like to request a reliable irrigation water supply for us hereafter,” said Yeshi Wangmo, a farmer.
“I have left around one and a half acres of paddy field uncultivated this year. Likewise, my neighbours have also left their paddy fields empty. We just need irrigation water from the government. We would be grateful if the government provides us with adequate irrigation water. We think that the Zhoshi Rongchhu would be the best stream to supply irrigation water if possible,” said Kencho Dem, another farmer.
“Regarding the problem this year, the government, the concerned ministry and several other relevant agencies have visited our place and conducted enough research. So, I am expecting that one of them will definitely help us get an irrigation water supply soon,” said Dawa Gyeltshen, Dochhukha-Dzomlingthang-Ritsa Tshogpa.
Chhubu Gewog is another gewog hit by irrigation water shortage where almost eleven acres of paddy fields are left uncultivated.
Even those who cultivated are worried that the yield might decrease as paddy transplantation got delayed.
“Almost seven to eight acres of paddy fields in our village here at Nawakha are left fallow this time. This is mainly due to the shortage of irrigation water and secondly due to the wild animal attacks. Our people are getting discouraged to do agricultural work. They even say that it is better to buy the rations from shops than working so hard in the fields,” said Tsagay, a farmer.
“We normally start paddy transplantation works by the beginning of the 5th Month of the Bhutanese calendar and complete it within the 4th Day of the 6th month. But we could not do accordingly this season due to the shortage of irrigation water. We had to stretch till the 17th Day of the 6th Month. Of course, we can see paddy saplings growing well for now, as we are taking care of the saplings. But we are worried about the yield,” said Jakum, another farmer.
“We have two small water sources for irrigation, the water volume started to shrink due to scorching heat and late monsoon. Even our additional irrigation water supply from another source became small and insufficient for paddy transplantation works,” said Namgay Wangchuk, Jangwakha-Sewla Chiwog Tshogpa.
The Chiwog received an additional irrigation water supply in May 2021 from a different source. It was constructed by spending Nu 8 M. However, villagers say it is failing to serve its purpose due to global warming and an increase in the number of users.
“Firstly, when there was enough water at the source, the irrigation pipes were found to be small. And the pipes eaten by bears resulted in water leakage. We have visited the water source four times to check the water supply,” said Namgay Wangchuk.
“Earlier, I used to get my share of water once in ten days. Now, I am getting once in thirteen days only. Moreover, the number of people sharing the water has increased now,” said Pema Zangmo, a farmer.
According to the District Administration’s assessment, more than one hundred households in the five gewogs have been affected.
Reports are being prepared and will be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
The District Administration is also recommending a reliable water pump to address the irrigation water supply shortage issue in two chiwogs of Guma Gewog in the future.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Phub Gyem
