Years of crop losses to wild animals are finally over for the farmers in Raling and Pemathang Chiwogs in Samdrup Jongkhar. A chain-link fence now protects their paddy fields and homes from wild animals. The construction of the fence was completed recently. For the first time in many seasons, farmers are cultivating paddy with hope and without a fear of losing their crops to wild boars and elephants this season.
A solar-powered wire is laid on top of the fence to deliver a current that deters elephants, while animals like wild boars and deer are kept out by the chain-link fencing.
Villagers hope to expand the cultivation in the coming years.
Chojay Wangmo, a farmer said, “Previously, we had to go and guard our crops from wild boars at night. Now, with the chain-link fencing, we do not have to guard it any more.”
Dawa Tshering, another farmer said, “Wild boars used to come from all directions and destroy our crops. We had to guard the fields from porcupines and wild boars. But after the chain-link fencing was installed, they had stopped coming.”
Likewise, Dambar Bahadur Bhandari said, “Having fencing helps us carry out more agricultural activities. We can expect a good harvest now, without it being destroyed by wild animals.”
Similarly, Jigme Dorji said, “Now, we don’t have to guard our crops anymore. Earlier, we had to guard the crops, but wild boars still damage our crops. Now with fencing, they have not come.”
According to the Pemathang Gup, the fencing covers over five kilometres, benefitting 115 families in Raling and Pemathang Chiwogs.
It protects around 120 acres of wetland and 70 acres of dry land.
The Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme supported the project with about Nu 10 M.
With their fields secured and hope renewed, the farmers look forward to a future of better harvests and peaceful nights.
Kinley Wangchuck, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tshering Zam
