The construction of the long-awaited irrigation channel in Tashichhoeling Gewog in Samtse is now expected to be complete by this year. The project has received an additional budget of Nu 8 M.
The channel was first constructed in 2011 at cost of Nu 67 M. But even after eight years, the paddy fields in the gewog are yet to receive water from the channel.
“After spending a huge amount, the farmers were not benefitted from the channel. We don’t know where the problem lies,” Samir Giri, Tashichhoeling Gup, said.
The eight-kilometre long irrigation channel was constructed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF). But it now lies neglected and covered with overgrowth.
“The construction was complete but heavy rain and landslides damaged the channel before we could hand over to the gewog,” Khandu Tshering, the Executive Engineer of MoAF, said.
But with the news of additional budget made available for the project, farmers of Tashichhoeling are hoping for uninterrupted supply of irrigation water during paddy cultivation.
Samtse is one of the highest rice producing dzongkhags in the country.
