YK Poudel

The Department of Agriculture (DoA) has allocated Nu 343.671 million for the fiscal year 2024-2025 to construct new water canals.

Agriculture Minister Younten Phuntsho stated that 26 irrigation canals are planned for construction in the 13th Plan, which will be implemented centrally. Of these, five irrigation canals covering 18.7 kilometres will be constructed in the current financial year.

The ministry has allocated Nu 140.62 million for the project.

The projects are: Changwa-Rongchhu integrated scheme (Bumthang), Ritsa-Changyul solar or irrigation channel (Punakha), Khameythang irrigation scheme (Samdrupjongkhar), Gayrikha-Tsonglina irrigation channel (Haa), and Khangma integrated scheme in Pemagatshel.

The ministry will add 24 new irrigation water projects in the 13th Plan to address the issues of water shortage. This would mean a total of 83 water projects by 2029.

These 83 water projects spanning 618 kilometres across 17,000-acres would benefit over 8,000 households in 17 dzongkhags.

Lyonpo earlier said that the projects will be selected based on the number of farmers into agricultural activities, the need for water channels and its feasibility. “The focus is not only on irrigation channels and its management, but also on smart irrigation for the long-term.”

Among the five projects this year, Changwa-Rongchhu integrated scheme covering five acres has the highest budget allocation of Nu 42.88 million, followed by Ritsa-Changyul solar or irrigation channel of Nu 36 million, Khameythang irrigation with Nu 26 million, Gayrikha-Tsonglina irrigation channel with Nu 19.1 million, and Khangma integrated scheme with Nu 16.64 million.

The ministry will also make substantial investments in irrigation projects—Nu 343.671 million has been allocated for the fiscal year 2024-2025. Increased investments for irrigation and water supply aims to improve farm productivity.

In the 13th Plan alone, 24 new irrigation water projects are in the pipeline, and a total of 83 water projects  will be implemented by 2029.

The target is to increase the agriculture sector’s contribution to GDP to Nu 50 billion by the end of the 13th Plan and create employment for 125,160 people.

Today, the sector employs 43.5 percent of the total population.

The government will also continue implementing the million fruit tree and high value fruit seedlings project to increase the production of high-value fruits and nuts from 37,997 metric tonnes (MT) to 73,862 MT in fiscal year 2024-25, and 104,024 MT by 2029.

The ministry also plans to establish four agricultural food hubs in Paro, Sarpang, Mongar, and Wangdue in the 13th Plan.

To achieve rice-sufficiency, the government will continue to invest in irrigation canals and chain link fencing.

Over the next five years, the target is to produce 54,040 MT of paddy every year, with an annual growth target of 45,087 MT for the financial year 2024-2025.