𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐭𝐬𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬

By Kezang Choden

Local leaders in Samtse Dzongkhag are urging the government to allow farmers to cultivate cash crops, such as betel nut and cardamom, on fallow paddy fields that have long suffered from persistent irrigation water shortages.
The proposal was brought forward during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, where local officials highlighted the growing concerns over unproductive wetlands and the devastating impact it has on the livelihoods of farmers.

In recent years, vast stretches of paddy fields have been left uncultivated due to a combination of water scarcity, wildlife disturbances, and labour shortages. Paddy farming, once the backbone of Samtse’s agricultural economy, has become increasingly unsustainable as irrigation systems fail to meet the demands of rice cultivation, the staple crop of the region.

Local leaders believe that switching to cash crops, which require less water and labour, could offer a viable solution for farmers grappling with the changing agricultural landscape. Betel nut and cardamom are high-value crops with significant export potential, and their cultivation could provide farmers with much-needed financial stability.

Many paddy fields in Samtse face critical water shortages, leaving farmers with limited options for cultivation. In addition to irrigation issues, farmers also face another formidable challenge: wildlife. Wild animals, including elephants and wild boars, frequently raid paddy fields, causing widespread destruction to crops and leaving farmers with reduced yields year after year.

The Tashicholing Mangmi,Nima Dorji described how wildlife intrusions have discouraged farmers from continuing to cultivate wetlands, despite the fertile land. “Although we produce good quality paddy, the continuous disturbances from wild animals prevent farmers from fully committing to their fields. The damage has led to poor harvests in recent years, and many have become disheartened,” he explained.

Farmers have reported that wild animals often destroy crops just before harvest, consuming large portions of the produce and trampling through fields, making it impossible for farmers to maintain consistent yields. This has led to growing concerns over food security in the region, as more and more farmers abandon paddy farming in favour of less vulnerable crops or leave their land fallow.

The growing call for a shift towards cash crops stems from the need to make better use of the fallow wetlands. Narayan Kumar Acharja, the Dzongkhag Assistant Agriculture Officer of Samtse, expressed concern over the large tracts of land that remain uncultivated due to water shortages and labour migration. “Water scarcity is not the only challenge,” he said. “There is also a severe labour shortage, as many youth have migrated to urban areas in search of better opportunities, leaving aging parents who are unable to work the land effectively.”

Narayan Kumar Acharja emphasized that the Dzongkhag Agriculture Office is exploring solutions to tackle both the water crisis and the lack of labour. This includes efforts to improve irrigation systems and create incentives to encourage young people to return to farming. However, in the meantime, local leaders believe that cash crop cultivation on fallow lands could be an immediate and effective solution.

The cultivation of crops like betel nut and cardamom, which require less water and labour than paddy, could provide farmers with an alternative source of income while ensuring that the land is used productively. “Instead of letting the land go to waste, we are exploring the possibility of planting crops that demand less work and are more resilient to the current challenges we face,” said Phata Singh Ghalley, the Gup of Sangacholing Gewog.

He added that cultivating cash crops could help reduce the risks associated with wildlife interference, as these crops are generally less vulnerable to destruction by animals. This would allow farmers to use their land more effectively while mitigating some of the challenges posed by water shortages and wildlife damage.

Betel nut and cardamom are known to be lucrative cash crops, with high demand both domestically and internationally. Leaders in Samtse Dzongkhag believe that by shifting to these crops, farmers could boost their incomes significantly. “These are high-value crops with great potential for export,” said Narayan Kumar Acharja. “With the right support, farmers can diversify their crops, reduce dependency on paddy, and increase their financial stability.”

The potential economic benefits of this shift have been widely discussed during Dzongkhag Tshogdu meetings. If approved, the proposal could bring a major economic boost to Samtse, especially for farmers who have struggled with rice cultivation due to ongoing challenges. Many local leaders are optimistic that this move could help transform the agricultural landscape of the region, making it more resilient to both environmental and economic pressures.

Tashi Jamtsho, the Gup of Yoeseltse Gewog, voiced his support for the proposal, stating that it would help turn fallow wetlands into productive fields. “Encouraging farmers to grow cash crops on idle land could boost their income while ensuring that the land is used productively,” he said.

Tashi Jamtsho also stressed that betel nut cultivation, in particular, requires less maintenance than paddy and could serve as a more sustainable option for farmers facing labour shortages and wildlife threats.

While the proposal to cultivate cash crops offers an immediate solution, local leaders acknowledge that long-term challenges, such as water scarcity and wildlife disturbances, still need to be addressed. Many leaders are calling for stronger measures to prevent wild animals from damaging crops, as well as improvements to irrigation infrastructure.

“We are actively looking for ways to overcome these problems,” Narayan Kumar Acharja explained. “Improving irrigation systems is one priority, but we also need to find ways to incentivize the younger generation to return to farming. Without their involvement, it will be difficult to sustain agricultural activities in the long run.”

In the meantime, local leaders remain hopeful that the government will approve the cultivation of cash crops on fallow paddy fields, providing farmers with an alternative means of livelihood. “We will continue paddy cultivation where water is still available,” Tashi Jamtsho said, “but for those areas where irrigation is not possible, cash crops like betel nut offer a viable path forward.”

As the debate over fallow land use continues, Samtse Dzongkhag leaders are focused on finding solutions that will benefit both the environment and the economy. By allowing cash crop cultivation, they hope to create a more resilient agricultural system that can withstand the challenges of water shortages and wildlife disturbances.

For farmers, this shift could represent a lifeline, offering them new opportunities to generate income and maintain the productivity of their land. With the right support, the move towards cash crops could transform Samtse’s agricultural landscape, ensuring that the region continues to thrive in the face of adversity.