Farming in Ramjar Gewog of Trashi Yangtse is becoming a struggle due to the irrigation water crisis that has been worsening by the year. The problem is, however, expected to be solved in a few months. About 60 Desuups are constructing an irrigation water channel for the farmers.
Wangringmo is located opposite the new Doksum town. More than 330 households of Ramjar make a living by farming on over 170 acres of farmland.
The people grow a variety of crops, but the place is most popular for its green chillies.
The farmers have been sharing small irrigation water, but with time it has become insufficient. Sometimes, the farmers have to depend on rainwater. Meanwhile, some have already given up and have left their land fallow.
“We even tried to pump water but it did not work. Most of the farmers have become hopeless now because, after so much hard work, the outcome isn’t very good because of water shortage,” said Tenzin Phuntsho.
“In summer, we need a continuous water supply for our paddy. We face a lot of problems; we use the current water supply on rotation, even though sometimes our fields get dry waiting for our turn,” said Dungjay.
Sonam Youden says the people are becoming discouraged. “All our work is in vain, because of the water crisis. Last year, some of the farmers gave up on paddy cultivation, because all the plants dry up because of the lack of water,” she said.
But hope has been restored among the people with the commencement of the irrigation water project. The project will bring water from a source at Lungdidrang under Tongmajangsa Gewog, which is about 7 kilometres from Wangringmo. It is being carried out at a cost of Nu 11 M and is expected to be complete by June.
Sonam Darjay, Trashi Yangtse
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
