Majority of the farmers in the south and some who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic started venturing into large-scale winter vegetables and cereals farming. But this has now led to more demand for seeds. And the Gewog Agriculture Extension office in Shompangkha in Sarpang has started running out of seeds.
A huge area of land is now being cultivated to grow crops in Sarpang. The pandemic has forced many to choose this way of life as they try to survive the epidemic. It has become a source of income as borders remain sealed and economic activities come to a standstill.
But farmers of Shompangkha Gewog say they are facing a shortage of seeds with many into commercial farming. The gewogs supply the seeds for free.
“In the past seeds are abundantly available but this time it is not possible to buy from outside because we cannot cross the border and go down neither they can come up. That’s why the government has to supply more seeds,” said Thakur Prasad Homagain, from Dargyethang in Sarpang.
The Shompangkha Gewog Agriculture Extension official said they distributed seeds to farmers in August and September this year. But continuous unseasonal shower damaged the seeds. However, the gewog purchased additional seeds worth Nu 85,000 and distributed to the farmers.
In the past, the agriculture officials had a difficult time motivating farmers. They used to visit every household distributing seeds to clear their stock. But the importance, people give to agriculture is clearly visible, now.
Karma Wangdi
