Farmers of Domphu-Dungkarchhoeling in Samdrup Jongkhar’s Dewathang Gewog are stepping up efforts to make the most of the available arable land. They are turning slopes into terraces to make farming easier and boost vegetable production. This will allow the farmers to use modern farm machinery to enable them to grow more vegetables.
Dawa Dema, a farmer from Zewang village, has long struggled to grow vegetables on her sloppy land. She says the topsoil gets washed away during heavy rain.
Now that the Gewog Agriculture Extension office is helping her convert the slope into terraces, she will be able to use agricultural machinery and grow more vegetables.
“For the past three years, I cultivated cabbage, beans, and other vegetables here, but since the land is on a slope, it’s difficult to grow crops. I can’t even keep my cattle here for manure. This year, I left the land here uncultivated and grew crops in even areas. Now that the land has been converted into terraces, I believe growing vegetables will be easier. They say they will take vegetables to the Gyalsung project, so we are planning to produce more,” says Dawa Dema.
Like Dawa, others also plan to grow more vegetables.
Meto says, “On slopes, we relied on spades and other tools to cultivate vegetables. When it rains, the soil is being washed away. By converting the land into terraces, we can prevent soil erosion and even use power tillers for cultivation.”
“On the slope, rain washes away the manure easily. Now on the terrace, we are hoping that production will be high as it will help retain manure. Even the soil will be fertile,” adds Kesang.
Dewathang Agricultural Extension Office plans to convert more than seven acres of sloppy land in Domphu-Dungkharcholing Chiwog into terraces. This is to prevent soil degradation and ensure the long-term sustainability of farming practices.
The office will be providing one power tiller for the chiwog.
The land management initiative also aims to strengthen food security and boost the livelihoods of the farmers.
Kinley Wangchuk
Edited by Sangay Chezom
