𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐬

…𝑵𝒖 1 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒊𝒑𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑩𝒊𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑫𝒐𝒎𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒈’𝒔 𝑺𝒂𝒎𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝑮𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒈

By Lhendup Wangmo

Samkhar Gewog in Trashigang, one of the most water-stressed regions in the district, has completed a Nu. 1 million irrigation project that allowed farmers in Bikhar and Domkhar chiwogs to transplant paddy on time for the first time in years. The 1.8-kilometre high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline was funded through the Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grant (PBCRG) and delivered just ahead of the planting season, addressing years of chronic water shortages.

Farmers reported that transplanting was completed without delay this year, reversing a trend of reduced yields and youth migration. Local leaders say the project has restored confidence in the planting season.
Samkhar Gup Jamyang said the decision to allocate the entire grant to Bikhar and Domkhar was made because of urgent need. “Rather than spreading the funds evenly across all chiwogs, we allocated the full amount to Bikhar and Domkhar, the area with the most urgent need. Farmers there were struggling each year with water shortages just when planting was critical,” he said.

The project was completed before the transplanting period, ensuring uninterrupted water supply. “We combine direct farmer feedback, field observations, and Water User Association reporting to assess the impact. Farmers tell us things like paddy was transplanted on time this season. That alone is a success,” Jamyang said. Early results include timely planting, more acreage under cultivation and improved yield prospects.

The gewog administration emphasised community involvement and sustainability. Villagers contributed labour for installation, and caretakers were trained for routine maintenance. The Water User Association, backed by the caretakers or Chu Sungpa, now oversees daily checks and water scheduling. Households contribute labour or a small fee depending on landholding size. Maintenance is handled by groups formed under the 2014 Water Regulation, with members selected to manage the system.

Transparency was maintained by routing proposals through Tshogpas and finalising them at the Gewog Tshogde. Regular site inspections and financial reporting were conducted. “Villagers participate from the start, and that ensures the money goes where it matters,” Jamyang said. He added that choosing HDPE piping was cost-effective and climate resilient, reducing leakage and withstanding landslides and floods. The gewog plans to extend similar projects to other remote chiwogs.

Bikhar and Domkhar Tshogpa Jangchub said water scarcity had long hindered paddy cultivation. “In the past, it was very difficult for us to manage our paddy cultivation on time. We had to wait for our turn for irrigation water, and due to limited supply, there were often disputes among farmers. As a result, we could not cultivate our land properly, and the crop yield was not satisfactory. However, this year has been different. Thanks to improved water management and better coordination, no one had to fight for irrigation water. Everyone was able to cultivate their fields on time,” he said.

Lama Dorji, a farmer from Bikhar chiwog, said he had seen water shortages affect productivity and morale for over two decades. “Last year, we had to wait nearly three weeks for enough water to start transplanting. By then, our seedlings were already overgrown, and some even began to wilt. We tried everything, channeling water through temporary lines, staying up at night to guard what little flow we had, even rationing among ourselves. But the reality was, we simply did not have enough. This year, when we heard about the new pipeline project, honestly, I did not think it would be finished on time. But the gewog worked fast, and the pipeline was in place before we even began preparing our nursery beds. The water came on time, steady and clean. All of us in the lower block were able to finish transplanting within the first week. That has not happened in years.”

He added that some farmers who had considered shifting to less water-dependent crops or leaving for work stayed to plant. “The seedlings looked greener, stronger because they were not stressed. We even had time to replant a few missed patches. That is a huge change for us. As a father, knowing that this year we will likely harvest on time and feed our family without worry brings peace. Water is everything here. Without it, we have nothing.”

Sonam Dorji, also from Bikhar, said the community had discussed the water problem for years. “We would meet, talk, write letters. Some temporary repairs would be done, but the real problem, our broken, outdated irrigation line, was never fully addressed. Then this year, the gewog administration surprised us. They acted. And they did not try to please everyone by dividing the money thinly. They focused on the areas with the most critical need. That decision made a real difference. Now, with the new pipeline, our entire lower block is receiving water evenly. This gives us hope for future planning. I have already spoken with my sons about expanding the area under cultivation next year. If this consistency continues, we could even try double cropping or test new high-yield varieties. For the first time in a long time, we are thinking ahead.”

Tenzin Wangdi, a farmer from Domkhar chiwog, said his fields lie at the edge of the pipeline’s reach. “Over the years we have been indirectly affected by the same water scarcity. Whenever Domkhar had a shortage, we had even less. Some years we had to buy water from tankers just to keep our seedlings alive. When the new pipeline was being laid, I did not expect we would benefit directly. But once the system was tested, we saw better flow in our old channels. The runoff was stronger, and the pressure was consistent. It is not a perfect solution yet, but it is a definite improvement. Even a few hundred more metres of pipe could change things dramatically for us. For now, we are grateful. Just having one season without water stress gives us enough motivation to keep pushing forward.”

Gup Jamyang said the approach could guide future climate resilience funding. “We have learned that one size fits all does not work. When funds are limited, they must be directed where the return is greatest, not just financially, but in terms of food security, community wellbeing and long-term sustainability. The feedback from farmers this season validates that approach.”

The gewog plans to assess additional infrastructure needs for the next agricultural cycle, including water storage tanks and drip systems for higher elevation plots. The PBCRG-funded project in Samkhar Gewog is being cited locally as an example of targeted investment that strengthens climate resilience in vulnerable farming communities.
By directing resources to the areas with the most pressing needs, completing the work before planting, and involving community institutions such as the Water User Association, the gewog has improved water access and strengthened farmers’ trust in local initiatives. For many in Bikhar and Domkhar, this season marks a rare break from years of uncertainty, offering a practical example of how targeted investment can support both livelihoods and climate resilience.