In the quiet, remote village of Samarchen in Chhukha, peace has finally arrived with the setting sun. Thanks to the installation of chain-link fencing, their crops are safer, and so is their future. The initiative is not only easing their daily struggles but also breathing new life into once-abandoned fallow land, offering hope for a more secure and prosperous farming community.
Farmers of Samarchen in Darla Gewog, who once spent sleepless nights guarding their fields from wild animals, can now rest easy.
A long-awaited sense of security has finally arrived for local farmers, changing lives, bringing peace of mind, protecting livelihoods, and reviving abandoned lands.
Their faces are filled with smiles as they finally celebrate the complete installation of nearly 5 kilometres of chain-link fencing. The fence covers more than 170 acres of land, benefiting nearly 50 households.
Rinchen Dorji, Darla Gup said “We already have labor shortage and the need to guard crops at night was very challenging. But now it will help a lot. Also, people can now enjoy the product all to themselves. In the past, half of the crops were lost to wild animals.”
Tshering Dorji, a farmer said “It used to be very challenging. No matter what we grow, wild animals like wild boar and deer would destroy everything. This kind of fencing is very useful to farmers like us.
Nima Dorji, another farmer said “Various kind of wild animals would come and destroy all our crops. But now with the fencing, we are very hopeful”
With the new sustainable fencing, people are now looking forward to commercial farming. It is also expected to revive acres of fallow land which people gave up once due to human-wildlife conflict.
The project, worth Nu 5.7 M, is funded by the Government of India through Project Tied Assistance. It is aimed towards securing farmland, minimizing human-wildlife conflict and improving rural livelihoods. A simple fence is now a symbol of safety, revival, and resilience for an entire community.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
