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Rapa Quindlen
GELPU – Most of the gewog power tillers issued by the government, currently managed by the Farm Machinery Company Limited (FMCL), are out of service, with some in need of restoration and others lying idle and rusting.
The clan had voluntarily handed over these power tillers to FMCL for agricultural machinery rental services since 2019. However, today these machines have been neglected with no clear operational plan.
In Sabang, the FMCL’s district office in Samtenling has 66 power tillers, of which 39 were handed over by 12 sects. Currently, 13 machines are not usable, 32 machines are repairable and 21 machines remain idle.
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Yuendan Putso explained in an interview with Kuensel that many power tillers have exceeded their technical service life and are therefore unusable.
Some of the machines date back to 2010. Japanese power tillers, such as those from brands like Yamaha and Kubota, can last 10 to 20 years if properly maintained.
Leonpo said these power tillers are also no longer used because most farmers now have their own machines. “This is a positive sign for the development of agriculture. We should be proud of this achievement,” Leonpo said. Despite a 2017 executive order requiring the machines to be returned to FMCL, some sects were reluctant to hand them over. The government eventually opted for a voluntary return in 2019.
Leonpo said that in the future, FMCL will procure large machinery such as combine harvesters and tractors that farmers cannot afford. The government will also support the purchase of power tillers by providing low-interest loans.
Residents believed that the poor condition of the machines was due to a lack of ownership and responsibility. Many operators did not maintain the machines and even replaced old machine parts with new ones.
While the number of non-functioning power tillers across the country is unknown, FMCL currently manages 330 functioning power tillers.
Since 2015, the government has distributed 753 power tillers to 205 clans.
In Chirang, most of the power tillers remain at clan centres due to lack of proper storage facilities at FMCL. Of the 27 heavy and medium power tillers and 10 small tillers, only five are operational.
The head of FMCL in Tsirang said almost every household now owns a power tiller, which has reduced the need for government machines. “Farmers prefer small tillers as they are easier to use and transport,” he said, adding that small power tillers are occasionally rented out to neighbouring villages in other dzongkhags.
Local leaders say farmers are reluctant to rent the power tillers because they are too large to be used on slopes or in rice fields, and they often break down and require costly repairs.
Tsholingkhar Gup Passang Thingh Tamang said the machines had to be sent to Gelephu for repairs, which took up to a month, rendering them unusable during the rice-growing season. “We also need trained and certified operators, but they are not always available when needed.”
Another local leader said no proper research was done to assess local needs before the distribution. “Farmers prefer portable electric tillers, while most of the machines distributed by the government are heavy and medium-sized. Farmers don’t want to use large machines,” he said.
Tsholingkhar Mangmi Bijay Monger said these power tillers were used only a few times initially and the rest of the time they lay idle in the shed. The engines have been returned to FMCL but these unused tillers are now rusted and their tyres have been punctured.
On the other hand, Gleup Mangmi Sonam Dakpa said it would be useful if the clan had a power tiller, especially now that ploughing with oxen is not as popular. “We rely on power tillers because renting a tractor is expensive,” he said.
Some residents suggested auctioning off the usable machines and scrapping the damaged ones to prevent further deterioration. However, officials said this was not possible as the machines were provided through a subsidy scheme.
Officials also stressed that repairing and maintaining the machines is costly with little to no return.
Although the rental prices have been revised to make them more affordable (2,230 Ngultrum per day for heavy and medium tillers and 1,810 Ngultrum per day for small tillers), potential problems still exist.
FMCL’s machinery rental services cultivated over 100,000 acres of land between 2017 and 2023, benefiting 63,436 households across the country.
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