YK Poudel

With the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) setting aside Nu 5.1 billion to support chain-link fencing, farmers in Bhutan are expected to see a major boost in crop protection from wild animals in the 13th Plan.

The MoAL minister, Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho, revealed this in the National Council on June 18 in response to the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mongar, Naiten Wangchuk, who reported that the depredation of crops and livestock by wild animals was one of the deterrents for enhancing crop and livestock production.

“Almost 8,275 metric tonnes (MT) of crops worth Nu 365 million was destroyed every year,” the MP said. “Similarly, livestock, such as yaks and cattle, worth Nu 12 million were killed by tigers and other predators annually.”

He said that measures, such as electric fencing, have proven effective, but they need to be strengthened.

In the 13th Plan, 24,000 acres of paddy fields, 12,000 acres of maize fields, and 9,000 acres of potato fields are proposed to be fenced with chain-link fencing. An additional Nu 2.8 billion has been earmarked for protecting other critical crops. 

MP Naiten Wangchuk called for clarity on how the areas will be identified for chain-link fencing and alternative measures planned to safeguard livestock from predators.

Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho acknowledged that crop damage by wild animals, which causes human-wildlife conflict, was one of the major factors that discouraged farmers in the agriculture sector, ultimately decreasing the production of crops annually.

“The ministry has been investing in technologies to protect crops and animals against wild predators, such as electric fencing, acoustic equipment with sensors, and portable solar fencing,” Lyonpo said. “Lately, the ministry has been promoting chain-link fencing to protect the crops.”

The data of the last two years show that the ministry has supported 33.5 kilometres of portable solar fencing and 87 kilometres of chain-link fencing in various dzongkhags, protecting more than 427 acres by solar fencing and 3,200 acres by chain-link fencing, benefitting 1,155 households.

“For the selection of sites, criteria such as the area of farmland protected, crops grown, prevalent HWC and severity, the number of households benefitted, poverty rate, and land ownership will be taken into consideration,” Lyonpo said.

The wildlife depredation of crops and livestock, which is on the rise, was highlighted through the National Crop and Livestock compensation scheme in 2016. The proposal submitted to the Ministry of Finance in 2017 was not approved.

Similarly, another proposal on crop and livestock insurance in 2021 was submitted to the cabinet. The proposal forwarded to the finance ministry for review was also rejected due to financial implications and lack of clarity on implementation and need.

Lyonpo said that in consultation with the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan and Bhutan Insurance Limited, the ministry has developed and proposed a crop and livestock insurance scheme. Cattle, poultry and piggery have been proposed under the compensation trust fund.

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