Nim Dorji | Trongsa

Villagers of Phumzur in Trongsa cultivated paddy two months ahead this year than the past.

This, villagers said, was possible because gewog distributed them irrigation pipes worth Nu 700,000. 

A farmer, Choden, said they cultivated paddy in the seventh month of the lunar calendar in the past years, as irrigation water was less and they had to depend on rainwater. “There was abundant water this year.”

With the irrigation problem solved, farmers now want a motorable road

Another villager, Namgay Wangmo, said they are thankful to the gewog for providing the pipes. “Such support in agriculture activities help us, as we will not have to depend on imported rice.” 

She said although they cultivate paddy they have to buy imported rice from shops. “As a farmer, I wanted to be self-sufficient.” 

Phumzur is considered a remote and farthest village in Langthel gewog. It is not connected to motorable road and electricity.

Villagers said they sometimes feel they are ignored, as they don’t see any developmental activities in nearby places.

Meanwhile, two members from each household come together for paddy cultivation. They take turns to work in the farm according to the irrigation water distribution. Villagers still practice traditional farming using oxen and manual plantations.

Villagers said once they have motorable road, they will shift to mechanised farming.

Jangbi tshogpa, Lhajay, said the irrigation pipes benefitted the villagers, as they have reliable water supply. “Even in Jangbi, villagers cultivated paddy early this year.”

He said the gewog allocated budget and constructed a new irrigation canal for residents of lower Jangbi.

Edited by Tashi Dema