Fallow fields are turned into paddy fields after the continuous rainfall substituted the shortage of irrigation water which has forced farmers in Zhemgang to leave it fallow for about a decade.
Normally, the irrigation canal of Dhangkhar village in Trong Gewog remains dry forcing acres of paddy fields into fallow land. But this time with continuous rainfall, all abandoned fields were ploughed and paddy transplanted with enough water to spare. Dhangkhar farmers said it’s a god-sent blessing for them and paddy would grow well and expects a bountiful harvest this time.
“This time, we could transplant all our paddy fields because of the rainwater, although delayed by ten days, I expect good yield this time and also hope the same blessing to continue next year,” said Jambay, from Dhangkhar village in Trong Gewog.
“Ours is below the road and we could transplant all on time but upper ones got little delayed but rainwater has helped transplant all. But we are worried about next year. Without such rainfall, only the government could help us with a proper irrigation canal,” added Tshering, from the same village.
Meanwhile, Dzongkhag authority recently conducted a feasibility study for irrigation water canal construction from Sershong perennial water source, which is about 15 km away from Zhemgang. Dzongkhag authority said Nu 50 M is already budgeted through the Small Development Grant from Government of India, which would take about two years to compete. Once complete, the new irrigation canal will benefit about four villages of Dhangkhar, Pam, Doongbi and Tingbi Pam.
Dzongkhag officials said the new irrigation canal from Sershong source is expected to benefit about 112 households with 178 acres of paddy fields in these four villages.
Hearing the good news, famers are happy and optimistic that upon completion of an irrigation canal project, apart from seasonal paddy transplantation they are planning to go for mass winter vegetable cultivation too.
The construction of Sershong irrigation in Zhemgang has been proposed since the 9th five-year plan.
