In rural areas where farmers rely on agriculture for their livelihood, having access to machines such as power tillers is essential. In Monggar and Lhuentse, the agriculture and livestock ministry, with support from the Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme (CARLEP), distributed women-friendly power tillers on a cost-sharing basis recently.
Farmers in Masang-Daza village in Monggar are busy clearing fields for paddy transplantation.
Among them is 52-year-old Sonam Choden and her husband, trying out the new mini power tiller they recently received. She is hopeful the power tiller will help make this farming season more productive.
“In the past, we couldn’t save any money because most of our earnings from the harvest went into hiring power tillers and labourers. It cost over Nu 3,000 a day, and some even charged Nu 1,000 for just a day’s work. So, I sought help from the gewog extension officer to purchase the tiller.”
Farmers say the mini power tillers are ideal for narrow terraces and will help boost crop production, while local leaders believe the machines will encourage farmers to expand their cultivation.
“We used to earn by selling vegetables, but rice and maize are our staples. Our terraces are quite narrow, so these mini power tillers are more suitable. With their help, we can grow more vegetables and increase our farm’s output,” said Ugyen Dorji, Farmer, Monggar.
“Market is not an issue for the people of Saling Gewog, we have His Majesty’s Gyalsung project in our locality, and there is a high demand for vegetables and fruits. The distribution of these machines will only encourage our farmers to scale up their agricultural production,” said Sonam, Saling Gup.
In Monggar, 13 gewogs received 59 women-friendly power tillers, and in Lhuentse, seven gewogs received 42 power tillers. Each farmer paid a little over Nu 21,000 each.
With these new power tillers, farmers in both districts are hopeful for an easier, more efficient and more productive farming season.
Namgay Wangchuk, Monggar
Edited by Sonam Pem
