Kelzang Wangchuk  | Samdrupjongkhar

In seven gewogs in Samdrupjongkhar, there are a total of 45.5 acres of land left fallow, which is being brought under cultivation

Martsala, Gomdar, Phuntshothang, Lauri, Langchenphu, Serthi, Orong and Langchenphu together have brought 45.5 acres of land under cultivation.

People in these gewogs are focusing on growing vegetables. The people of Phudukhar in Orong are preparing land for the winter vegetable among others.

“Our main target is to achieve self-sufficiency in agricultural products,” a farmer said.

While fallowing of land is not a problem in Samrang, Dewathang, Wangphu and Pemathang gewogs, the people in these gewogs have also begun growing vegetables.

Dzongkhag Agriculture Officer (DAO), Chorten Gyeltshen, said that fallowing of land was due to goongtong, human-wildlife conflict, and lack of irrigation and farm roads, among others.

He said that the dzongkhag agriculture office provided the greenhouse, seeds and technical support to the people. “The main objective is to produce enough vegetables should there be a lockdown because of the increasing Covid-19 cases in the country,” Chorten Gyeltshen said.

Jampani Nyamlay Tshogpa’s secretary, Lhaten Dorji, said that crop loss to wild animals was the major problem facing the people.

Sonam Choden, a farmer, said that people faced acute water shortage in winter.

The local leaders said that the budget was allocated to improve irrigation facilities in the chiwogs and villages.