Farmers in most parts of the country are reaping the benefits of the government’s chain-link fence project. In places where the fence installation has been completed, farmers say they can now focus on increasing their agricultural yields without the fear of losing their harvest to wildlife. The chain-link fence project is transforming lives for farmers in parts of Pema Gatshel and Samdrup Jongkhar.
In Samdrup Jongkhar’s Gomdar Gewog, farmlands belonging to 39 households in Richhanglu village are now protected by a recently installed chain-link fence.
The government provided the materials for the project, while villagers contributed labour for the installation. Now, with the completion of the chain-link fencing, farmers say farming feels more secure and rewarding.
“Before, we had to spend sleepless nights guarding our crops from wild animals. Now, with the chain-link fencing, we don’t have to, and we are very grateful,” said Sangay Lhamo, Farmer, Gomdar Gewog, Samdrup Jongkhar.
“We have a concrete base of one foot, so wild boars and squirrels won’t be able to dig under the fence. Wild animals also won’t be able to push it, because the fencing is fixed firmly with concrete,” said Thinley Yozer, Farmer, Gomdar Gewog, Samdrup Jongkhar
“We cultivate all types of vegetables, but wild animals like deer and squirrels used to destroy our crops. Now, with the chain-link fencing, it will benefit us immensely,” said Tendi, Farmer, Gomdar Gewog, Samdrup Jongkhar.
“We felt discouraged from cultivating vegetables because wild animals would destroy them. Now, I believe the fencing will protect our crops. We worked hard to install it, and we are now expecting to produce more vegetables,” said Tashi Phelgay, Farmer, Gomdar Gewog, Samdrup Jongkhar.
The four-kilometre chain-link fencing was constructed within five months with a fund support of Nu 5.2 M from the Government of India.
Richhanglu is considered one of the highest vegetable-producing villages in Gomdar.
Farmers in Yurung Gewog, Pema Gatshel, share a similar story. For the farmers of Dungsingma-Thungkhar and Khominang-Yangkhar chiwogs, the installation of a Nu 3.6 M chain-link fence has ended years of struggle to guard their crops from wildlife, giving them new hope of reclaiming their fallow lands and reviving farming.
“In the past, our fields were left fallow. But now, more farmers have started cultivation, believing that the fencing will protect our crops. I’m hopeful that every landowner will start farming again,” said Tshering Nidup, Farmer, Khominang, Yurung Gewog, Pema Gatshel.
“Many farmers had given up farming because wild animals kept destroying their crops. We had to fence our fields three to four times a year, spending all our earnings on hiring labourers,” said Sangay Norbu, Farmer, Doongsingma, Yurung Gewog, Pema Gatshel.
The 3.3 kilometres of fencing at Doongsingma covers more than 70 acres of farmland, benefiting 115 households. Meanwhile, the Khominang fencing spans 1.1 kilometres, protecting nearly 10 acres of land for 13 households.
With chain-link fencing, villagers look forward to a more fruitful vegetable harvest.
Kinley Wangchuk in Samdrup Jongkhar and Thinley Dorji in Pema Gatshel
Edited by Phub Gyem
