Without enough irrigation water, the farmers of Yebisa and Bali Chiwogs at Chhubu Gewog in Punakha are worried about this year’s paddy transplantation. They have been depending on rainfall for paddy cultivation for years. However, less rainfall so far has left the fields dry. People are now pinning their hopes on a solar pump project.
The people of Bali Chiwog are still waiting for rainfall to start their paddy cultivation works. The chiwog has 33 households.
Farmers say the stream in the chiwog is now gradually drying up. They say the volume of the stream increases only when there is rainfall.
The farmers have yet to prepare their fields for paddy transplantation due to water shortage.
Due to lack of irrigation water, and less rainfall these days, growing vegetables has also become difficult, triggering pest infestation and ultimately affecting production.
“Last year, there was enough rainfall and we have completed the initial works such as ploughing fields by third month of the lunar calendar. But this time, forget about ploughing fields, we could not do anything much so far. Our work depends upon rainfall since we do not have enough irrigation water. We have acute water shortage,” said Pelden Dorji, a farmer.
“There is no timely rainfall. Of course, we received rainfall on a night for a short duration and it has benefited us. But even if it rains for a night, it gets dried up the next day due to the heat,” said Phurba, Bali Tshogpa.
However, this problem is expected to be solved when the chiwog gets a solar pump.
Chhubu Gewog’s mangmi said that the Bhutan Trust Fund is providing Nu 8.7 M to construct a solar water pump system to supply water from Mochhu to the existing irrigation water channels.
The construction work is expected to begin by July this year.
A similar water shortage exists in Yebisa Chiwog of Chhubu Gewog.
Around 50 households share the irrigation water from a small stream which is mainly fed by rainfall.
“The situation is worsening this time compared to last year. We are even discussing among ourselves to abandon works such as raising paddy seedlings this year since it is useless. Even if we transplant seedlings, it is useless if there is no water. This year, we are worried about our livelihood,” said Pemba, a farmer.
“Water sources are drying up now. Earlier, we used to have spring water in our places, but most of them have dried up now. I think we will not be able to do paddy cultivation work this time since we even do not have water to sprinkle in paddy seedlings and chilli plants. We are worried about our rations,” said Namgay Tenzin, another farmer.
“We are extremely worried about the shortage of irrigation water this time. We will have to depend on imported rice if this situation continues like this,” said Dawa Tshering, who is also a farmer.
According to the mangmi, a survey was done last year to draw irrigation water from Zhoshi Rongchhu in Kabisa Gewog.
Around Nu 40 M has been estimated for the project cost. The water supply will be more than 12 kilometres long.
Works to obtain social clearance from Kabisa Gewog are in process.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Tshering Zam
