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Chencho Dema
PUNAKHA — Erratic rainfall patterns and drying up of water sources are affecting rice production in Punakha, a dzongkha in India known for producing a variety of rice.
Data shows that the impact of climate change is the main factor causing the decline in total production. Punakha, which is famous for its rice production, harvested 7,761 metric tons of irrigated rice in 2023. However, this is 299 metric tons less than the previous year.
According to the 2023 Bhutan Agricultural and Livestock Census, there are 2,272 irrigated rice farmers in Bhutan. The planted area is 3803.81 acres and the harvested area is 3685.03 acres.
This decline is significant because Punakha, Paro and Wangdu have traditionally been the main producers of irrigated rice. Punakha, Paro (17%) and Wangdu (11%) each account for 19% of the country’s rice production.
In 2022, Punakha harvested 8,059 metric tons of irrigated rice, 1,549 metric tons more than in 2021. Punakha In 2022, Tsongkhapa recorded the highest yield of irrigated rice.
In addition to the impact of climate change, farmers also blame high production costs for the drop in yields. (up to 1,000 Ngultrum per day), and general absence of landowners are some of the factors farmers attribute to the decline in rice cultivation.
Deputy Chief Agricultural Officer Gailong said the decline in rice production in 2023 was mainly due to water shortage. “Farmers were unable to transplant rice in time, affecting production. In addition, farmers in Guma area had to leave their land fallow due to water shortage,” he added.
Last year, Guma gewog resulted in 32.65 acres of wetland becoming barren, followed by 10.91 acres in Chhubu and 10.88 acres in Talo.
The deputy county chief said that if the clans’ rice fields could be cultivated, the yield would not have dropped. He said the rice seedlings have withered, while fields near the riverbank use water pumps to cope with the lack of water in the rice fields.
At the same time, he said that due to climate change, water resources are becoming less and less than in the past.
However, Thanks to timely rains this year, farmers were able to complete rice transplanting on time, so they can expect a good harvest.
Punakha wetlands cover an area of 7,238.05 acres. Among them, Gumagwag wetland is the largest, covering 965 acres, followed by Zomi wetland, covering 932.5 acres, Todwang wetland, covering 930 acres, Goensari wetland is the smallest, covering 221.69 acres, followed by Limukha wetland, covering 276 acres, and Tallo wetland, covering 387 acres.
There are 11 gewogs in Punakha, including Baarp, Chubu, Dzomi, Goenshari, Guma, Kabjisa, Lingmukha, Shengana, Talo, Toepisa and Toedwang.
Punakha produces many varieties of rice, popular ones include Nab-Ja, Tan-Tshering, Shelngap-Maap, Khamtey, Dago Yangkum, IR-64 and Bondey (fragrant rice).
Prices range from 140 to 170 Nu per dry product (about 1.5 kg), with Bondey being the most expensive at around 200 Nu per dry product.
Zhomi Dzong is one of the largest rice producing areas in the Dzongkhagpa.
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