Agriculture: The denizens of the wild had not much luck this year. The raid they planned to embark on was foiled. Hanging their heads low in defeat, they returned deep into the forest and out to some easy fields where they could invade and plunder until they no more have of farmers’ crops.

Electric fencing in Dungmin in Pemagatshel is a big success. Farmers did not lose their crops to wild animals this year. But all is not a happy story in Dungmin. Some farmers have lost their crops to wild animals because they do not have electric fencing.

There was a look of absolute contentment on the face of seventy-six-years-old Lemo when she could harvest all of her maize. She grinned with happiness.

When electric fencing came to the gewog people were skeptical. Now they are all praise for it. Farmers have been able to effectively keep the wild animals at bay.

“When I was able to harvest more than 23 baskets of maize, I’d to thank the wires,” said Lemo. “It is amazing how the little wires can stop the animals from entering our fields.”

Another farmer, 70-year-old Meto, said the electric fencing has given farmers some sound sleep at night. “Otherwise, we couldn’t even go to toilet because animals would have damaged all the crops by the time we returned.”

While Lemo and her neighbours have been enjoying the benefit of the fence, it is different for Kezang Dema and her neighbours. This is because about nine households did not get the fence when 4km fence was installed in the chiwog.

“When the wild boars cannot enter the fence, they come to our fields,” said Kezang Dema. “We hope the gewog officials will look into the matter.”

Dungmin Gup Ugyen Tshering said that some households did not get electric fencing not because they were not eligible but because they refused to contribute labour. The gewog had proposed for additional fence, however, and will be soon installed.

Yangchen C Rinzin,  Pemagatshel 

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