In Sarpang, farmers of Serzhong village pin their hopes of reviving paddy cultivation on a new irrigation channel, which is under construction. Almost 400 acres of paddy fields have remained fallow for 27 years after a landslide washed away their old irrigation channel. However, farmers hope to start growing paddy once again from next year.
The lands covered in thick bushes were once cultivated with rice. However, after the irrigation channel got damaged, the fields remained uncultivated for almost three decades.
The renovation of the Thewar irrigation scheme, however, has come as a respite to the farmers of Serzhong. Works began in 2021 and are expected to complete by next month.
This year, due to untimely rainfall, farmers have not been able to grow paddy saplings. However, cultivation works are expected to resume next year.
“I could cultivate paddy only once in the past. During the flowering season, the water dried up and there was no yield at all. Only husk remained,” said Pema Kezang, a resident.
“We could not restore the old irrigation channel. Water has been the main problem here,” said Kinley Wangmo, another resident.
“We used to carry out paddy farming in the past when there was irrigation water, but we had to do away with paddy farming after the channel was damaged,” said Zomba Lhamo, a resident.
Restoration of the four-kilometre Thewar irrigation channel is carried out at a cost of over Nu 1 M. It is financed under the Green Climate Fund. There are 67 households in Serzhong village.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Kipchu
