After more than a decade of relying on imported rice, a few villages in Samdrup Jongkhar’s Orong Gewog are eager to revive paddy cultivation. This comes as efforts to restore a damaged irrigation channel are finally gaining momentum.
In Orong Gewog’s Chongtey, Mitsigshing, and Milum villages, paddy cultivation has remained dormant since 2011. A road construction work damaged a crucial irrigation channel in the locality. The once self-sufficient community has since been forced to depend on imported rice, as 17 households halted rice production on over 13 acres of wetland.
While a few villagers had earlier urged the Gewog Administration to repair the channel, the process was delayed due to a limited budget and lack of widespread interest.
However, eight households have now expressed renewed enthusiasm for reviving paddy cultivation. The Gewog Administration has responded by initiating steps to repair the irrigation system, which is vital as much of the land has been converted into terraced fields under a land management programme.
Changkey, a villager said “It is important we start cultivating paddy. We cannot depend on others, and we have to pay to buy rice. I think we can cultivate both rice and maize.”
Jigme Dorji, another villager said “If we cultivate paddy we won’t have to depend on imported rice. Moreover, it will show a good example to the younger generation.”
Cheki Zangmo, who is also a villager said “The road construction works damaged the irrigation channel so we stopped farming. Now we depend on imported rice, which is expensive. We cultivate maize too but it’s for self-consumption.”
The Gewog Administration is hoping to complete the restoration works this year.
Orong Gup Pema Gyelpo confirmed that his office has completed collecting no-objection letters from landowners, clearing the way for works to begin.
Over 1.5 kilometres of HDPE pipelines will be laid, with a proper water intake tank at the water source. The project, which is expected to start soon, will cost around Nu 500,000.
With the restoration of the irrigation channel finally in sight, villagers are hopeful that paddy cultivation will once again thrive, ensuring food self-sufficiency for the community.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
