Kangpar farmers hope for better harvests after fencing project

2026-03-19 - 10:11

Farmers in Kangpar village under Kangpar Gewog in Trashigang can finally look forward to a secure farming season. With the completion of a chain-link fencing project, they no longer have to spend sleepless nights guarding their fields from wild animals and are now hopeful of better harvests. Farmers in Kangpar are already preparing their fields for the new season, with many planting maize and potatoes, while others enrich their land with manure. Agriculture is the backbone of the village, with farmers cultivating paddy, maize, buckwheat, chilli, and a variety of vegetables. But for years, their hard work was often undone. Without proper fencing, nearly half of their crops were destroyed by wild animals such as monkeys, deer, and porcupines. Now, that story is changing. With the installation of a 5.56-kilometre chain-link fence, farmers say they finally feel protected and motivated. Thinley Wangchuk, a resident said, “Now, the government has supported us with fencing, and I hope this will definitely solve the issue. We will also not keep our land fallow.” Likewise, Singye Zangmo said, “I do not have much land like others, but I have always cultivated all my land. People in the lower area were saying that this time they will cultivate the entire area, as they could not grow crops earlier due to the wild animal destroying the crops.” Sangay Tenzin, also a resident said, “Earlier, we used to lose almost half of our crops to wild animals. During night, animal destroy our crops. Wild animals damage the young maize plants and paddy saplings. Now we have fencing to protect our fields, and I am happy that we can finally relax.” The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock inaugurated chain-link fencing last month. The fencing covers about 235 acres of land, including fallow land belonging to 71 households of Kangpar village. Funded with Nu 8.4 M under Project Tied Assistance from the Government of India, the initiative is expected to boost agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods. Sonam Darjay, Trashigang