The redevelopment of paddy fields in Domkhar under Tsaenkhar Gewog in Lhuentse has raised hopes of a better future for the farmers.
Under the redevelopment programme, small terraces are expanded and dry lands are terraced so that farmers can use farm machinery for agriculture production.
Farmers now look forward to do more of commercial farming, which they say is not possible before due to the small terraces.
The redevelopment works began in May this year. Over hundred acres of paddy fields belonging to some fifty households are likely to be expanded before the paddy cultivation gets over.
Some farmers have even started transplanting paddy on the reformed land.
“We don’t know how the yield would be this year since we are cultivating on the reformed land,” a Domkhar farmer Thukten said. “From next year, we will use power tiller to plough the field.”
Farmers also plan to cultivate paddy twice a year.
“Before, due to the small paddy terraces, ploughing field even with oxen used to be very difficult,” said the Tshogpa of Domkhar-Umling Chiwog, Wangdi.
The Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector provided two excavators for the land redevelopment. However, the fuel charges have to be borne by the farmers. The initiative is expected to enhance land productivity and efficiency through the use of farm machinery. It is also to cut down the cost and use of farm labour.
Domkhar is one of the remote villages in Lhuentse. Besides paddy, villagers also cultivate maize for their livelihood.
