The irrigation water shortage of Lawa-Lamga’s residents in Athang Gewog of Wangdue Phodrang is expected to be finally addressed, come next month. This is because the work to construct an irrigation water infrastructure for the Chiwog is almost complete. Once the facility is constructed, it is expected to provide enough water to irrigate more than sixty acres of farmland.
For many years, the fields in Lawa-Lamga Chiwog have been either left fallow or used only for vegetable cultivation during summer. Since the village has an acute irrigation water shortage, growing crops and vegetables is difficult.
The district and the gewog administrations even carried out land development works and converted farmlands into terraces for paddy cultivation. However, no farmers could work on the paddy fields because of water shortage.
“It doesn’t matter how hard we work to grow maize, it gets infested by pests. We try to grow wheat and buckwheat but due to lack of irrigation water, the yield is poor. It’s the same for vegetables because they dry up,” said Kezang, a resident.
However, things are looking promising for the residents. The work for Manigang Irrigation Water Supply project is 95 per cent complete. The project is drawing water from Tingkachhu stream. The farmers are now planning to grow varieties of crops and vegetables.
Kezang said, “We have enough land to cultivate crops. We received five acres of land on Kidu and the government has helped us with land development. So, once we get the irrigation facility, we are sure that our village will be benefitted.”
“We are anticipating to get the irrigation water by this year and hoping to cultivate paddy. We are also expecting to grow more vegetables and sell them by next year,” said Karma Wangmo, another resident.
“We will be happy to get the irrigation water. Instead of keeping the land fallow, we can work on them. Besides cultivating paddy, we can grow wheat, buckwheat and vegetables,” said Phub Lham, who is also a resident.
Athang Gup Dawa Gyeltshen said, “After getting the irrigation water supply, our farmers can utilise their agricultural land. Most people here usually go to towns asking for alms. However, I hope people will switch to agricultural work.”
The project began more than three years ago. Although the project was supposed to be completed last year, technical and landscape problems delayed the project. The Nu 12.5 M worth project is supported by the Green Climate Fund.
The five-kilometre-long irrigation water project will not only benefit Lawa-Lamga Chiwog which has around 20 households but also parts of Rukha chiwog.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Sangay Chezom
