Over one thousand households in Tsirang, whose fruit trees and cardamom plants were damaged by an unprecedented hailstorm in April, are receiving the Royal Semso from His Majesty The King. According to the damage report compiled by the Tsirang district administration, over 58,000 fruit trees and acres of cardamom plants across eight gewogs were damaged. His Majesty’s Secretariat granted over Nu 18 M to the district as Royal Semso to the hailstorm-affected farmers.
Tsirang Dzongda handed over the Royal Semso to the affected farmers in Tsholingkhar Gewog on Monday.
There are over 180 affected farmers in the Gewog.
The Semso fund amounts to 50 per cent of the total damage.
Farmers expressed their gratitude to His Majesty The King for granting them the semso.
Tawppla, a farmer said “We were worried when the hailstorm destroyed our fruit trees as it was a natural calamity. But we are happy as His Majesty The King granted us the semso.”
Jigme Namgay, another farmer said “We thank His Majesty The King for granting us the Semso.”
Nar Bdr. Dahal, who is also a farmer said “We would like to thank His Majesty for granting us the Royal Semso. We are happy and grateful to His Majesty The King.”
Passang Tamang, Tsholingkhar Gup said “Farmers were all distressed when the hailstorm destroyed their fruit trees during the flowering season. But now, they are all happy as they received Royal Semso from His Majesty The King and got assorted vegetable seeds from the government as well.”
Local leaders from the seven other hailstorm-affected gewogs were also present during the event. The affected gewogs include Dunglagang, Gosarling, Kilkhorthang, Semjong, Pungtenchhu, Tsirang Toed, and Rangthangling.
Top Nath Acharya, Semjong Gup said “We are fortunate to have His Majesty The King. Our country is unique. We are grateful to His Majesty for granting us the Royal Semso.”
The district administration plans to hand over the semso fund to all eight gewogs by next week.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock distributed assorted vegetable seeds and cereals worth over three million ngultrum to the hailstorm-affected farmers in April this year.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Tshering Zam
