For farmers, protecting their crops from wildlife often means watching their fields as much as tending to them. But in Orong Gewog of Samdrup Jongkhar, that has now become a little easier. Some 59 households received a new line of defence against wildlife – an electric fence. And from what the farmers have to say, it is more than just protection for their crops; it is renewed hope and confidence to continue farming.
In Chongtey, Milum, and Mitsigshing villages, maize, paddy, and buckwheat stand in the fields. At this time of the year, they are exactly what wild boars and deer come looking for.
The wild animals frequently entered their fields in search of food, damaging crops and affecting their harvests.
With the installation of electric fencing, farmers say they no longer have to spend long hours guarding their fields against wildlife.
Phuntsho, a farmer from Orong Gewog, said the fencing has eased their worries about losing crops to wild animals.
“We have been living in fear of losing our crops to wild animals. Now, our worries have settled. The electric fencing helps keep the wild animals away from our fields.”
Another farmer, Jigme Rinzin, said the fencing has made their lives easier as they no longer need to guard their crops day and night.
“The fencing has benefited us and made our lives easier. We no longer have to guard our crops from wild animals day and night. We are thankful for the support.”
Tenzin Chezom, a farmer from the gewog, said farmers previously had to stay in their fields to chase away animals attacking their crops.
“Earlier, we had to be in the fields to guard our crops and chase away wild animals attacking them. Now, we don’t have to do that. Even monkeys are afraid to come near the fields.”
Sonam Zangpo, another farmer, said crop damage caused by wild boars and monkeys has reduced since the fencing was installed.
“Wild boars and monkeys used to frequently raid our fields and destroy the crops. Since the electric fencing was installed, such instances have reduced. These days, we hardly see any wild animals entering our fields.”
According to Orong Gup Pema Gyalpo, the fencing is powered by grid electricity, making it more reliable. He said the gewog administration has also created awareness among villagers about safety measures and precautions when using electric fencing.
He explained that the energiser connected to the fencing controls the flow of electricity and delivers short, controlled electric shocks to deter wild animals without causing fatal harm to people or livestock.
The gewog administration invested Nu 1.4 M in the electric fencing, which protects 48.76 acres of farmland.
For the 59 households benefiting from the initiative, the fencing has reduced the need to guard their fields and helped minimise crop losses caused by wildlife.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sonam Wangdi
