Farmers of Tikiliwoong in Pema Gatshel’s Norbugang Gewog are all smiles. The land management project that began last month will now allow them to use farm machinery for paddy cultivation. Previously, small terraces and scattered boulders made it nearly impossible to operate power tillers. After years of requesting this project, they can finally look forward to easier and more efficient farming.
The farmers resumed paddy cultivation five years ago following the maintenance of their irrigation channel.
For over a decade, farmers in Norbugang and Laishingri villages left their fields fallow, relying on oranges as their cash crop and struggled with irrigation shortages.
Now, with agricultural land development finally in place, their long-awaited hopes for improved irrigation and production have come true.
“We faced a labour shortage in the past, and there was very little wetland available. But with this agricultural land development project, we are expanding our wetlands. We hope it will be easier for us to use power tillers for farming,” said Khandu, Norbugang-Rinchenzor Tshogpa.
“We are not only happy but also optimistic about doubling or even tripling our production in the future. With government support, the land has been made more spacious for us to work. As a result, it will reduce the workload and we can finally make use of the farm machinery,” said Dendup, a resident of Laishingri, Norbugang Gewog.
Currently, two excavators are deployed on-site, shaping the terraces. The terraces are now wider and properly levelled. Nearly 10 acres have already been readied for cultivation.
“We feel very fortunate. The government has invested a significant budget in this project, and we will not let it go to waste. We are also planning to construct houses here to live and work,” said Dendup, a resident of Laishingri.
“We used to grow maize first and then paddy, harvesting twice a year. We hope to be self-sufficient in rice and rely less on imported rice,” said Khandu, Norbugang-Rinchenzor Tshogpa.
The project worth Nu 2.7 M is funded by the Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme or CARLEP and the district administration.
The project covers over 40 acres belonging to 30 households of two villages in Norbugang-Rinchenzor Chiwog.
The initiative aims to boost farm production for both self-sufficiency and commercial purposes, improving farmers’ livelihoods.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sonam Pem
