Come June, some 70 households in Tsangkha Gewog of Dagana will have access to sufficient irrigation water. The ongoing irrigation project is set to address the irrigation water shortage in the area. More than half of the project is already completed.
The new irrigation water is sourced from Budhichhu. Besides Gungpa Samchu, the facility will benefit Zinchila and Paateykha chiwogs.
The irrigation scheme was initially designed to irrigate 75 acres of farmland for 55 households. However, it has now been expanded to cover over 220 acres of land belonging to 70 households.
Farmers say the villages have the potential for large-scale cultivation of paddy, vegetables, and fruits. However, the lack of proper irrigation channels and increasing settlements led to persistent irrigation water shortages.
Suresh Gurung, a farmer said, “The new irrigation system will help us cultivate paddy. Without enough irrigation water, we could not grow paddy on a large scale. We are hopeful that the scheme will solve our water shortage.”
“We did not cultivate paddy last year because the previous irrigation system was disrupted to construct the new facility. If the project is completed on time, we will grow paddy this year,” said Mani Kumar Gurung, also a farmer.
“We are not sure about the completion date, but we would appreciate it if the project is finished before the paddy transplantation season,” said Mon Bdr. Gurung, a farmer.
“Without enough irrigation water, our cardamom plants and mandarin trees were drying up. It is hard to grow crops and fruit trees with limited water. The new system will provide enough water for paddy fields, and cardamom and mandarin orchards,” said Lax Man Monger, a farmer.
The Department of Water with technical support from the Dagana District Administration is initiating the scheme.
The Adaptation Fund, an international fund is financing the project worth around Nu 24 M through the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
Edited by Sangay Chezom
