Wild animals continue to raid maize fields in Shumar gewog in Pema Gatshel. This has left farmers helpless and discouraged. The farmers say that if nothing is done to control the menace, more people will choose to leave lands fallow and desert their villages.
Farmers in Shumar grow maize on a large scale. But every time, wild boars, monkeys, deer and porcupines invade the fields and destroy the crop.
30-year-old Kezang from Panthang village is collecting damaged maize plants. He will feed this to his cattle. Only a few maize plants are seen on his field.
“It’s been four years now. Monkeys have ravaged my field leaving very little for me. There is a cliff below my field. The monkeys live there. The monkeys damage my crops during the night,” said Kezang Thinley.
The villagers say guarding the crop does not help them anymore.
“We have been facing the problem with monkeys and wild boars for quite some time now. When we try to chase them, they attack us,” said Tshewang Dendup, a farmer from Pangthang.
“Wild boars are causing more damage. We could at least guard during the day and chase the monkeys away. I have left some of the lands fallow. Even if we cultivate, animals destroy them. I don’t think I will be able to harvest this time as well,” said Chukchi Zangmo, another farmer.
“I am worried now. I cannot afford to buy rice. I have been depending on flour and Kharang,” added Kezang Tashi, a farmer from Shali.
The farmers are placing their hope on wire mesh fences and other equipment that the government plans to provide on a cost-sharing basis. The labour minister during a recent visit to Pema Gatshel informed the farmers of the Government’s plan.
“Labour minister visited in our gewog and said the government will provide wire mesh fencings. We are all happy. And we would be thankful if those facilities are provided at the earliest,” said Gonpung-Shali Tshogpa Chojay.
“They say there are sensors to trigger an alarm whenever animals come. That would help us more. We can come and chase them. We are hoping to get it soon,” said Lungten Wangmo, who is also a farmer.
“If there is a sensor which produces sound while the animal approaches near the field, I think it will benefit them. I am discussing with the agriculture officials to create some innovative and creative methods to keep farmers interested in farming. So, we are looking to allocate a good amount of budget in the next financial year,” added Shumar Gup Sonam Dendup.
And that would benefit more than 700 families in the gewog.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sangay Chezom
