In Mendrelgang Gewog of Tsirang, farmers may soon stop worrying about losing their crops to wild animals. A 7.5-kilometre chain-link fence is under construction, aiming to protect farmlands and improve agricultural output. The project, spearheaded by the Tsirang District Administration, is expected to be completed by June.
The chain-link fence will benefit around 200 households covering 400 acres of farmland across the three chiwogs of Riserbu, Mendrelgang, and lower Pemashong. It will also benefit farmers of Tashipang Chiwog, whose farmland lies in the lower parts of the gewog.
As in other districts, the government supplies the construction materials, while farmers contribute labour. Over 80 per cent of the work has already been completed.
“The chain-link fencing will last for generations and will benefit us a lot. It has motivated us to work even harder. Now we are planning to make full use of our farmlands without leaving them fallow,” said Kinzang Wangchuk, a farmer from Riserbu.
“Forget about porcupines and deer, the chain-link fence even prevents birds from entering the fields. It also protects against jungle fowls that feed on maize seeds,” said Tobgay, another farmer from Riserbu.
As the fencing nears completion, many farmers are planning to expand their farming efforts. The gewog is renowned for its large-scale rice production, as well as its vegetables and fruits, including mandarins.
“All types of vegetables and crops grow well here. But wild animals like wild boars and others damage our crops. This has discouraged us from growing more,” said Karna Bdr. Monger, a farmer from Mendrelgang.
Tobgay added, “We have to guard crops as soon as it gets dark. Wild animals cause severe damage within a short period of time when it is about to harvest. This has led some farmers to give up farming.”
The Government of India is funding the project, which is worth over Nu 11 M.
A similar initiative is underway in Tsholingkhar Gewog.
Both projects are part of the Nu 5bn the government earmarked for a nationwide chain-link fencing initiative under the 13th Five-Year Plan, aimed at protecting 45,000 acres of paddy, maize, and potato fields
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Kipchu
