Farmers of Khamaedthang chiwog in Samdrup Jongkhar will now have water for their fields throughout the year. Their old irrigation channel has been replaced with a stronger and safer one that can last for generations.
The new climate-smart irrigation channel was constructed recently. It is designed to withstand floods, prevent seepage and secure water for all times to come.
The new channel starts with a 51-meter wall built across the Nyera Ama river to control water flow. A basin traps sand and stones before water enters the 1.4-kilometre concrete channel. This prevents water from leaking and protects it from floods.
Bhutan for Life funded the project, worth Nu 32 M.
“The project was designed and built entirely by Bhutanese experts. Using a big river as the source for irrigation is a new approach,” said Yonten Gyamtsho, the director of the Department of Agriculture.
“This completed irrigation project now provides water to over 200 acres of fallow land, benefiting more than 85 households within the Jomotshangkha Wildlife Sanctuary. It will help revive fallow land and support sustainable livelihoods for the community,” said Dr Pema Wangda, the executive director of Bhutan for Life Fund Secretariat.
This year, with construction going on during the paddy cultivation season, farmers were unable to cultivate paddy as a new channel was constructed on the old channel.
Farmers say missing out on one harvest is worth the sacrifice, as the new channel is expected to serve them for generations.
The agriculture ministry also plans to promote winter paddy so farmers in Khamaedthang can harvest twice in a year.
“Even though we missed this season, it is okay because if water is available, we can cultivate paddy twice a year. In the past, if we built a channel today, the swollen river would wash it away tomorrow,” said Bhim Kumar Basnet, a farmer.
“We will face difficulties this time, as we could not cultivate paddy, as the construction of irrigation was going on. With water now available, we plan to cultivate twice a year,” added another farmer, Ravi Lal Adhikari.
Tenzin Tshering, a farmer said, “This time we could not cultivate paddy, but farmers are okay with it. From next year, we will continue to cultivate.”
“The government has spent a lot on the irrigation channel, and we are grateful. We will not get such a project again and again, so missing one paddy season is fine for us,” said Phub Tashi, also a farmer.
With water secured, farmers are hopeful for better harvests and a more stable livelihood.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
