Phurpa Lhamo | Punakha

Following the footsteps of farmers in Paro whose harvest was damaged by the continuous rainfall this week, farmers in Punakha shared their wish not to take the kidu amid the pandemic.

Upon His Majesty The King’s command, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering met the affected farmers in Punakha yesterday.

Lyonchhen will meet the affected farmers in Wangdue today.

Meeting the farmers, Lyonchhen said that sharing deep concerns for the people amid the pandemic, His Majesty The King had committed to grant compensation kidu for damaged crops.

He added that His Majesty’s Secretariat and the dzongkhag will assess the damage for compensation.

Upon hearing the message, farmer Kinley Om, 75, expressed appreciation that His Majesty The King has been protecting the lives of the people. “His Majesty The King has done so much for the welfare of the people.”

After the rain: Farmers in Punakha rush to thresh paddy saved from the rain that damaged rice fields in the dzongkhag

Another farmer, Wangchuk, said: “We understand His Majesty’s efforts and how much His Majesty cares for and about the people.”

The farmers expressed their gratitude for loan deferment and the efforts to keep the people safe amid the pandemic.

Lyonchhen ensured the farmers that the message would be conveyed to His Majesty The King.

The preliminary report from Punakha dzongkhag showed that around 350 acres of land were affected due to the rain. While almost all gewog suffered damage, Dzomi and Lingmukha gewog recorded the highest damage.

According to Lyonchhen, Paro suffered the most damage, followed by Samtse, with around 500 acres. Farmers in Punakha and Wangdue dzongkhags suffered the most damage after Samtse.

Lyonchhen briefly shared information about Covid-19 efforts and reminded the farmers to get vaccinated.