𝐋𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐬𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭

…𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒊𝒑𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔

By Tashi Tshewang

The construction of the Lower Neymedsa Farm Road has officially begun with the laying of Granular Sub-Base (GSB), marking a significant step toward improving rural connectivity .ted to benefit farmers and residents of Lower Neymedsa by easing the transportation of agricultural produce and improving access to markets and essential services. In the past, heavy rainfall and the absence of proper drainage and a solid road foundation often made the route difficult for vehicles. With the inclusion of Hume pipes to facilitate proper water flow and retaining walls to stabilize vulnerable sections, the road is designed to withstand seasonal conditions and reduce maintenance issues.

The laying of GSB forms a critical base layer that enhances the strength and longevity of the road surface, enabling it to bear regular vehicular movement, particularly for transporting farm inputs and harvests. The 700-metre stretch is an important link for the farming community, connecting fields to the main road network and supporting day-to-day agricultural activities.

Residents have expressed optimism that the improved farm road will reduce transportation time, cut costs, and encourage greater agricultural productivity. The project reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen rural infrastructure and promote sustainable local development through targeted Gewog Grant support.
Leela Raj Sunwar, the gup of Rangthangling, said, “We looked at the severity of the damage and decided to prioritise the road for GSB works. We conducted meetings with the community before initiating the project because travelling was becoming increasingly difficult. The road condition was poor and it was damaging vehicles, especially those transporting agricultural and dairy products. Since vehicles regularly carry farm produce, improving the road became a necessity.”

The Gup explained that the decision followed a detailed assessment of the road condition and several rounds of discussions with residents, who raised concerns about frequent vehicle breakdowns, rising maintenance costs, and difficulties in transporting essential goods. He said the Gewog administration considered the number of households dependent on the stretch and the broader impact on livelihoods before allocating the budget under the Gewog Grant. “The road serves as a vital link for farmers, dairy suppliers, and daily commuters, and its poor condition had long hindered economic activities in the area,” he added.

He continued, “The installation of Hume pipes is also crucial because water leakage was making the road muddy and prone to landslides. To prevent further damage, we are installing proper drainage structures. Although blacktopping is in our plan, we are unable to carry it out at the moment due to the huge budget requirement. This road will benefit 78 households, covering around 543 people in the area.”

Kinzang Wangdi Tamang, the Tshogpa of Neymedsa, said, “Now there is poultry farming and pig farming here. Before, even if people wanted to start something, there was no road access to support it. There are two types of roads here, one pointing toward the upper part of Neymedsa, and the other towards the lower part. For the upper road, we have allocated funds from the central budget in the second phase of the project. However, for the lower road, the main reason we are using the Gewog Grant is that we couldn’t get funding from the central budget.”

He explained that the decision to use the Gewog Grant for the lower road was driven by the lack of central budget support and the poor condition of the road after previous grants were insufficient for maintenance. He highlighted the long-term benefits the road improvements would bring, particularly for the farming community, which has faced numerous struggles in the past. “The road’s development would now allow easier access for farming activities, including poultry and pig farming, and the transportation of locally grown produce like oranges, which had previously been challenging,” he added.

He continued, “Since the road improvement, people who wanted to do farming have been able to take loans and start their poultry and pig farming. It has also become much more convenient for them to transport their produce, like the oranges grown in their area. The farm road connection has really made a difference in their ability to reach markets and improve their livelihoods.”

Karma Wangdi Sherpa, a local resident, said, “The poor condition of the Lower Neymedsa Farm Road has affected the farming activities a great deal in the past, especially during the summer season. During heavy rains, the road would often become almost impossible to navigate. Transportation of agricultural produce was extremely challenging, and sometimes we had to wait for days just to send our crops to the market. Bringing farm inputs like fertilizers, seeds, and livestock feed was also very difficult. The bad road condition slowed down our daily work, increased costs, and made farming much more exhausting than it should be.”

He shared his views on the ongoing improvement works, highlighting both the benefits and the limitations of the project. “I expect that most of these problems will be resolved once the GSB laying, Hume pipe installation, and retaining walls are completed. However, we are not fully satisfied because the budget only allowed improvement of around 700 metres, while the farm road stretches about four kilometres in total. This means that large portions of the road are still unpaved and remain difficult to use, especially during the rainy season. Despite this limitation, the current improvement will definitely encourage farming and other economic activities in the area. Some residents have already started poultry and piggery farms, and many have begun planting more oranges and lemons. With improved access, we hope more people will take up farming and small-scale businesses. The transportation of produce will become faster, safer, and less costly, which will benefit both farmers and the wider community. Overall, this project represents a positive step toward strengthening rural infrastructure and supporting the livelihoods of people in Lower Neymedsa, even if there is still work to be done.”

Passang Tshering Sherpa, another resident, shared, “The challenges we faced before the construction of this farm road were very difficult. We used to carry all our agricultural and livestock produce on our backs because vehicles could not reach our farms. During emergencies, it was especially tough to reach the hospital on time, as the road condition was very poor and unsafe.”

He explained that the poor road conditions had long been a major barrier to both daily life and economic activities in the area. Farmers struggled not only to transport crops and livestock but also to access markets, government offices, and healthcare services. He highlighted that the new farm road, even in its partial stretch, is expected to transform the community by reducing travel time, allowing easier use of vehicles, and encouraging the adoption of modern agricultural practices. “The improved connectivity will also support small businesses, livestock management, and emergency response, creating a stronger foundation for sustainable livelihoods and local development in Lower Neymedsa,” he added.

He concluded, “After the GSB is laid, the road will greatly help improve our agriculture and livestock productivity. It will take less time to reach relevant agencies and markets. With better road access, we can also use new agricultural technologies and machinery, which help complete work faster and more efficiently. This will allow us to increase production and generate more income compared to before.”