Mini power tillers are becoming a game changer for farmers in the east, where rugged terrain often hampers traditional farming. To help mechanise farming, the agriculture and livestock ministry, with support from the Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme CARLEP, is supplying over 400 mini power tillers to farmers of the six eastern districts. The machines are being provided on a cost-sharing basis.
Fifteen farmers from Norbugang, Chokhorling, and Dechhenling Gewogs of Nganglam Dungkhag in Pema Gatshel received their power tillers during a ceremony held at Nganglam Central School in Pema Gatshel on Saturday.
“It feels like a gift. The government is covering 50 per cent of the cost. In the past, those who bought power tillers privately had to pay around 80,000 to 90,000 ngultrum. This smaller version is also easy to handle, even women can use it,” said Khandu, a resident of Norbugang Gewog.
“I thought of buying a power tiller earlier, but couldn’t afford one due to financial constraints. Now, we can with the government’s cost-sharing support, for which we’re truly grateful. What used to take weeks can now be done in just a day,” said Sangay Norzom, a resident of Chokhorling Gewog.
The agriculture and livestock minister said that the machines are being distributed based on farmers’ needs to enhance food security and strengthen Bhutan’s agricultural resilience.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Yonten Phuntsho said, “When we talk about security, it’s not just about guarding our borders. Food safety and nutrition are equally important. And for that, our farmers play a crucial role.”
According to the CARLEP Programme Director, they received more requests than they could deliver. He added that due to budget constraints, the project had to reduce the number of machines.
“Due to budget limitations, we could only meet about 69 per cent of the demand from the districts. CARLEP will be closing by the end of this year, but we’re expecting to launch a new project, IMPACT, under the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and this program will be considered a high priority,” said Dorji Wangchuk, the programme director of CARLEP.
CARLEP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock collectively spent over eight million ngultrum to procure the machines. The mini power tillers were officially handed over to the Dzongkhag Tshogdu Chairpersons of the six eastern districts.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Phub Gyem
