Residents of Bjimithang Chiwog in Punakha’s Dzomi Gewog, are increasingly worried as they are unable to cultivate crops in winter due to unreliable irrigation water supply. Despite receiving seeds from the government, people say the erratic water supply might delay their work, leaving fields uncultivated during winter.
The villagers had planned to use the paddy fields this winter to cultivate mustard.
However, due to erratic shortage of irrigation water supply in winter, fields remain barren today.
Farmers said they have been facing water shortage for a few years.
Karma Dema, a farmer said “We could not carry out winter cropping for three years due to water shortage. This time, we have been asked to proceed with winter cropping and have even received seeds of mustard from the government. However, I am concerned about how to manage the work. I have heard that people from two chiwogs are planning to address the issue, but I am unsure how we will be able to work.”
Kinley Phub, another farmer said “It’s getting late to start cultivation works as the water supply is not enough. It is difficult to even fill one or two terraces of paddy fields in a week.”
Other farmers like Nado said “There is a gate valve at the water distribution point. So, when other beneficiaries close the valve, we face water shortage. Water is never reaching Bjimthang Chiwog and Lingmukha Gewog. Water reaches only till Sejona village. Therefore, water shortage is hampering in carrying out agricultural work.”
Namgay Lhamo, who is also a farmer said “Forget about winter cropping, we could not carry out paddy transplantation on time for three years.”
Irrigation water is supplied through water pipes for more than four kilometers, while the rest is delivered via an open irrigation canal.
The water is sourced from Shenga Rongchu, with financial support from the Green Climate Fund.
This irrigation water is shared among the villagers of three gewogs: Shenga Bjemi, Dzomi, and Lingmukha.
Sangay Wangdi, Chairperson of Community Water User Group said “We have over 15 water distribution points between the water source and the gate valve at Chikey Thangkha. When we close the gate valve to supply water to certain beneficiaries, it causes a shortage for the other three chiwogs. Similarly, if we open the valve to distribute water equally to those downstream, there isn’t enough water for the beneficiaries between the source and the gate valve.”
Dawa Tashi, Dzomi Gup said “We have informed the Green Climate Fund project already. So, the project officials accepted and told us that they would soon rectify the problem without hampering winter cropping.”
An official from the project said they will visit the area to rectify it for equal distribution of water.
As time slips by, the farmers are concerned that they may not be able to cultivate their winter crops as planned.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Tshering Zam
