In a move to encourage paddy farmers in Trongsa to do mass rice cultivation and revive fallow land, two major irrigation channels are being constructed. The rice farmers in the district have been challenged by a shortage of irrigation water for the past few years. The two irrigation channels are being constructed in Langthil and Dragteng Gewogs.
The construction of the irrigation channels, each extending around eight kilometres, is being funded by the Green Climate Fund.
The construction of the Yurmung irrigation channel in Langthil Gewog has been completed and is already benefitting the villagers. Meanwhile, construction of Longchhu irrigation channel in Drakteng Gewog is going to start soon.
Dragteng and Langthil are two major rice-producing gewogs in Trongsa. The gewogs together cultivate rice in close to 1,000 acres of land producing close to 1,500 tonnes of rice annually.
“It has helped in irrigating 300 acres of land belonging to 160 households of Yuendruchholing, Beyling, and Namther villages. The villagers have been able to yield a good amount of paddy this year and they are grateful,” said Rinzin Wangchuk, Langthil Gup.
“Most of our lands are fallow. If we get water, we can cultivate in these fallow lands. It is always convenient to have water on our farms,” said Kuenzang Choden, a farmer.
Out of around 3,000 acres of cultivable land in Trongsa, 300 acres remain fallow largely due to a shortage of irrigation water. The district expects to convert the abandoned fallow land to cultivable land through such a project.
“We hope that the landowners will be encouraged to work if the water is brought to their land. There are many fallow lands in Langthil and Drakteng Gewogs. Therefore, we hope they will work if we can make progress in supplying water,” said Karma Wangchuk, Deputy Chief Agriculture Officer of Trongsa.
The Green Climate Fund has spent Nu 42 M on the Yurmung irrigation channel and the estimated cost for the Longchu irrigation channel is Nu 50 M. Once complete, the Longchu irrigation channel will benefit the villages of Dragteng Gewog.
Such a project is expected to reduce dependency on imported rice and strengthen rice self-sufficiency.
Sonam Tshering, Trongsa
Edited by Phub Gyem
