The government’s initiative to distribute power tillers to chiwogs several years ago has generally benefitted rural communities. Due to various reasons, several tillers in gewog centres have now either become dysfunctional or are remaining idle. Chhukha’s Dungna Gewog received four tillers but now only one is operational. This has made it difficult for farmers to manage their farming activities.
Located over 100 kilometres from Phuentshogling, Dungna Gewog relies heavily on agriculture, with locals cultivating a variety of crops due to the region’s favourable vegetation.
However, farming has become challenging as most of the government-provided power tillers have broken down.
Currently, only one tiller is operational, prompting the gewog to request a new one from the Farm Machinery Corporation Limited (FMCL) last year.
Meanwhile, broken tillers remain unused, lying idle near the gewog office, raising concerns among the farming community.
“The power tillers provided by the government have not been used sustainably with a few not working at all. Since it is being looked after by the FMCL, we have written to them but nothing has been done. Also, our gewog is located far away and officials have not been able to come here to repair it,” said Ugyen Dorji, Dungna-PagseLakha Tshogpa.
“It was very challenging to get things done with one tiller. People here have to depend on the government power tillers as there are only about two private tillers with the rates very high. As a result, people cannot afford it,” said Tshering Nidup, a resident of Dungna.
Residents of Dungna Gewog say that their remote location makes it challenging to bring in technicians to repair the broken power tillers.
They added that the responsibility for maintaining the tillers lies with the Farm Machinery Corporation Limited.
“When the FMCL office opened here, we were really hopeful. But they closed down due to insufficient profits. When the gewog handed over the equipment to FMCL, everything was done with proper handing taking. But when they left, there was no such follow-up and now the broken tillers are just left here,” added the Dungna-PagseLakhaTshogpa.
According to the FMCL, the machines have reached the end of their life span and it is difficult to find spare parts for the older tillers.
Officials said that the demand for support mainly arises during paddy cultivation. During this time, they send technicians to assist with necessary repairs.
They added that they are willing to provide additional machines if the requirement lasts longer. However, due to the gewog’s distance, sending additional tillers for just a few days would be costly.
Paddy cultivation is the primary agricultural activity in Dungna Gewog.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Sonam Pem
