Crop depredation by animals is one of the greatest barriers for farmers across the country to pursue farming. In the Khangma village of Yurung Gewog in Pema Gatshel, the farmers are running out of means to protect their onion fields from birds. Now, they are waiting for the Gewog agriculture sector to intervene.
Most of the farmers in Khangma cultivate onion. Some of them grow the crop on a larger scale every season for commercial purposes. But they are discouraged now with birds destroying the crop every season. They have tried the conventional method of beating tin to keep the predator at bay. But that didn’t help.
“The birds damage the crop right after transplantation. We beat tin to chase the birds but that doesn’t help. Now, we have exhausted all means to protect the crop. If we are provided with shed nets, I think that will be the only solution,” said Wangchuk, a farmer.
“We try to increase production. But the insects and birds keep on harming. It is discouraging to cultivate the crop,” said Dorji Wangmo, another farmer.
“Birds damage almost half of the harvest. We keep on re-planting saplings. But the yield is affected,” said Kezang Thinley, another farmer.
More than 50 households in the chiwog grow onion. They are expecting to harvest more than three to four tons this year.
Though they have not yet reported the issue to any relevant agencies, the Gewog administration and agriculture sector are aware of their battle. The Yurung Mangmi said the matter will be resolved by next season.
“We will be meeting with the farmers within two to three months. We will make sure to provide a green net shed for those who are cultivating in larger areas or for commercial purposes,” said Dendup Gyeltshen, Yurung Mangmi.
Being an agrarian society, interventions including addressing crop depredation by animals is essential to keep the farming spirits thriving among the farmers if the country is to achieve food self-sufficiency.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
