𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐲𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠, 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐕𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

…𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒑 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔

By Kinzang Lhamo

Norgaygang Gewog has suffered one of the most destructive rainfall events in recent memory, leaving residents facing the dual burden of damaged homes and lost livelihoods. From July 28 to 30, heavy rainfall triggered landslides that blocked farm roads and destroyed acres of cardamom, the primary cash crop and main source of income for most households. While many families have house insurance, villagers say it offers little comfort, as it does not cover massive losses to crops and other farm investments.

The disaster has highlighted the vulnerability of rural communities reliant on agriculture. House insurance may provide structural protection, but it does not mitigate the economic shock of destroyed crops. With the harvest season only months away and households still managing loans taken for cultivation, villagers face mounting uncertainty. They are calling for government intervention that extends beyond short-term relief to include long-term safeguards, such as crop insurance.

Kamal Gurung, a resident of Norgaygang Gewog, described the devastation his family experienced. “The downpour took everything,” he said. “We lost all our cardamom, which we had been growing for years. Now, cracks have appeared on our house walls, and the foundation is unstable. Even if the house insurance helps, what about my crops? What about repaying the loans we took to plant cardamom?” Kamal’s family continues to live under the threat of landslides, seeking temporary shelter at neighbors’ homes during heavy rains and at night.

Similarly, Suman Rai’s family lost nearly two acres of cardamom fields in the landslides. Though his house remained intact, his recently built storehouse, an important investment, was severely damaged. With cardamom currently priced around Nu. 1,750 per kilogram, Suman said the loss represents not just a financial setback but a threat to his family’s economic survival. “We invested everything into our cardamom farm,” he said. “Losing two acres feels like losing our future. Without the harvest, repaying loans is impossible, and there is no alternative income.”

Roads and footpaths connecting villages and farmlands were rendered impassable, cutting off access to markets, schools, and essential services. Residents have been clearing debris, but the scale of destruction and slow recovery left many feeling overwhelmed. “Even with some support from the gewog administration, it is hard to stay hopeful,” Suman added. “Our crops pay for school fees, debts, and daily expenses. Now, we have nothing left.”

Geeta Gurung described losing his four-year-old cardamom plantation, now buried under mud and boulders. His house, though insured, provides little solace as he faces uncertainty over rebuilding his livelihood. “Having house insurance is not enough,” he said. “It does not pay for my lost crops or the land that is now unusable. We took loans to grow cardamom, but now everything is gone. What do we do next?”

The experiences of these farmers emphasize the broader issue of agricultural vulnerability in Bhutan. Many families sought refuge in neighbors’ homes due to structural damage or the threat of falling rocks, resulting in cramped and stressful living conditions. Basic necessities were difficult to obtain, requiring villagers to walk long distances to nearby towns such as Tendu. “We are uneducated and do not know how to face this,” Geeta said. “We had hoped this year would bring some relief after years of hard work. Instead, we are left with nothing.”

The gewog administration provided emergency assistance, including temporary shelters and minor support for damaged infrastructure. However, farmers emphasize that short-term relief cannot replace long-term protection. The destruction of cardamom, a crop highly susceptible to climate-related disasters, disrupted the foundation of the local economy, leaving households with few coping mechanisms.

Farmers are calling for a sustainable solution: crop insurance to protect livelihoods from natural disasters. Such a program would provide financial compensation for crop losses, reduce reliance on loans, and help communities recover more quickly. Kamal Gurung stressed, “We need protection for our livelihoods, not just our homes. Crop insurance could help farmers survive disasters without losing everything. Otherwise, every heavy rain feels like a catastrophe.”

Responding to these concerns, the Ministry of Livestock and Agriculture announced plans to introduce the National Crop and Livestock Insurance Scheme from the next cropping season. “The Ministry is preparing to roll out the National Crop and Livestock Insurance Scheme starting from the next cropping season. The scheme will provide prospective coverage for crops and livestock selected by farmers, with premiums paid to the insurance company. As a pilot, only maize, rice, potato, orange, cattle, piggery, and poultry will be covered initially, while other crops and livestock may be considered for inclusion in the future based on the pilot experience,” the Ministry explained.

The initiative is the first of its kind in Bhutan and aims to strengthen farmers’ resilience by providing systematic risk protection for agricultural livelihoods. By covering both crops and livestock, the program seeks to reduce the economic impact of natural disasters and support community recovery.

“The success of this scheme will depend on the confidence and participation of our farmers,” the Ministry highlighted. “The Ministry will undertake consultations and awareness programs to ensure that beneficiaries are well-informed, understand the procedures, and can make informed decisions. Once finalized, the Operational Manual will guide implementation, including eligibility, claims, and other operational processes, ensuring transparency and smooth execution.”

For residents of Norgaygang Gewog, the scheme cannot come soon enough. Farmers like Kamal, Suman, and Geeta hope that such initiatives will prevent the complete loss of livelihoods and provide a safety net in the face of increasingly unpredictable climate events. Without protective measures like crop insurance, every storm carries the potential to devastate not just individual families, but the economic stability of the entire community.

The experiences in Norgaygang highlight a broader need for agricultural resilience strategies nationwide. Experts point out that crop insurance, alongside improved infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and financial literacy, can form a holistic approach to protecting rural livelihoods. Ensuring access to affordable insurance, timely payouts, and clear procedures will be key to building farmers’ trust and encouraging participation in the program.

As Bhutan’s agricultural sector faces the twin challenges of climate change and economic vulnerability, the National Crop and Livestock Insurance Scheme represents a historic policy step. If effectively implemented, it could transform how farmers manage risk, reduce dependency on loans, and safeguard the long-term sustainability of rural communities.

Meanwhile, villagers in Norgaygang are gradually recovering. Though conditions are far improved compared to the immediate aftermath of the rainfall, residents continue to rebuild fields, repair homes, and navigate remaining obstacles such as impassable roads. Their resilience and ongoing calls for systemic protection highlight both the urgency and promise of the country’s first agricultural insurance initiative.