Since 2015, farmers of Goling and Kharsa villages under Chhoekhor Gewog in Bumthang had their fields surrounded with solar fencing. However, they said though the technology has been immensely effective in warding off wild animals, at times it is not so useful.
Farmers said the electric current of the solar fencers weakens occasionally and wild boars manage to enter the field, and ravage the crops. That is why if villagers have to reap what they sow, their presence in the farms every night is crucial. One of the farmers, Sherab Dorji, aged 64 narrated to our Reporter Kipchu how he has to be awake all night guarding his two acre of potato patch.
“The solar fencing facility is helpful but very often, the low voltage makes it ineffective then wild boars get in,” said farmer Sherub, adding that in a week, two or three days, solar fencing proves futile.
Just a week ago, the wild boars attacked his neighbour’s field. A group of boars squeezed through the solar fence. Some other farmers also shared similar incidences of their day encounter with the animals.
“Only me and my wife lives here and when we miss to guard our crops, they are destroyed by the animals,” said another farmer named Sonam Tashi. “Even if we have solar fencing, we still have to watch our crops.”
The Gewog Agriculture Extension Officer said the farmers were educated on the importance of clearing the under-growths near the fences. She also said the farmers don’t do timely greasing of the metallic wires which helps stop rusting and enhances the efficiency of the fence.
Otherwise a guaranteed harvest is likely to remain a challenge for the farmers.
