With the new irrigation water supply nearing completion, farmers of Phangyuel Gewog in Wangdue Phodrang are gearing up to expand their agricultural activities. The gewog has been struggling with water shortages for years, leading most villagers to leave their land fallow. However, efforts are underway to revive the land.
22-year-old Tandin Penjor is constructing a mushroom farm in his village, Jangsana. He plans to start mushroom cultivation as soon as the irrigation water reaches the village.
Until now, he has been unable to materialise the project due to water shortage.
“I had planned this mushroom cultivation project for years but could not start due to lack of water supply. However, I am starting this project now as the irrigation water will be supplied soon. I am planning to cultivate Shitake and Oyster mushrooms.”
Like him, the water project which is nearing completion has encouraged other farmers to revive their fallow land.
Some have procured power tillers while some are clearing bushes in the fields.
“We could not do any work due to lack of irrigation water until now. However, we are excited now as the Baychhu irrigation water supply is coming soon. I even bought a power tiller at Nu 86,000. We are ready to start our work as soon as we get the water,” said Karma Tshering, a farmer.
“We have already completed clearing bushes in our fallow land. We are now working on fencing. We are extremely happy as the water will be supplied soon,” said Sumchho Pem, another farmer.
“We faced problems due to lack of irrigation water for more than 13 years. So, we are ready to carry out agricultural work immediately after the Baychhu Irrigation Water supply reaches the village. We are ready to do the paddy cultivation work,” said Thinley Dendup, who is also a farmer.
Kinley Dendup, the Phangyuel Mangmi said “We have consulted with the dealers. We are helping them in getting agricultural machinery which is sold at reasonable prices. Farmers can use the machines as it is convenient. Our people are buying such machines and getting ready to start their work after the Baychhu irrigation water supply works are complete.”
The Gewog Mangmi said around 80 per cent of the gewog budget in the financial year 2024-2025 is allocated for the internal water distribution works.
Officials said the irrigation water will be released from the source next week for testing. The 38-kilometerBaychhu irrigation water supply is part of the climate-resilient irrigation scheme.
The Green Climate Fund is providing more than Nu 550 M for the irrigation water supply project. The government in partnership with the UNDP Bhutan implemented it.
The project is expected to benefit 285 households in Phangyuel and Kazhi Gewogs with a combined landholding of over 1,300 acres.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Tshering Zam
