People of Mitshig in Tsento gewog, Paro, have been gradually shifting from sustainable to commercial farming. Despite improved road connectivity and better access to markets, allowing farmers to sell their produce, crop damage by wild animals threatens the viability of commercial farming. Now with their fields enclosed by chain-link fencing, farmers are able to keep wild animals at bay and grow more crops.
Farmers in Mitshig Chiwog grow potatoes, beetroot, carrots, and apples for sale.
The thick forest surrounding the village provides a safe habitat for wild animals such as wild boars and deer. These animals have long been a nightmare, often destroying crops despite sleepless nights spent guarding the fields.
Potato harvest season is just around the corner. It is when both farmers and wildlife are on high alert.
But this year, farmers have a different tale to tell.
Thanks to chain-link fencing, which is about 80 per cent complete, farmers are already seeing a noticeable difference.
The fencing is helping protect their crops, sparing them the hardship of guarding fields through the night.
“Earlier, we couldn’t stop wild boars from attacking our fields. But with the fencing in place, they can no longer enter. They usually destroy paddy and potatoes, and we had a tough time protecting them. From this year, that won’t be a problem. By the time we start planting paddy, the fencing will be fully complete,” said Dorji, a farmer.
Another farmer Sangay said, “The installation began at the back of the village, from where most of the wild animals enter our fields. We even had to build temporary huts to stay in the fields overnight. But by the time we spotted the animals, they would have already damaged our crops. It’s been less than a week since the fence was set up, and we’re already seeing the benefits.”
“We are thankful to the government for improving road access, which has made it easier to sell our produce. Now, with the chain-link fencing in place, we no longer have to spend nights in the fields guarding our crops,” said Tshering, a farmer.
Apart from remote highland areas such as Soe-Yagsa and Soe Nubri, one village from each chiwog of Tsento Gewog began installing chain-link fencing earlier this year.
Tsento Gup Chencho Gyeltshen said, “We are constructing over 4 km of fencing in Tsendo Shari, and 3 km across Jiutshaphu, Tshenshi, and Nyamjey. Additionally, we’re building 1 km of fencing each in Drugyel Dzong and Mitshig Chiwog. Altogether, more than 8 km of fencing is underway this fiscal year.”
The gewog office has already identified the remaining villages for the next phase of fencing in the upcoming fiscal year.
With this initiative, farmers can now look forward to safer fields and better harvests.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Sangay Chezom
