The raging COVID-19 pandemic has forced many countries and economies to shift from their traditional economic activities to new ones – in search of alternatives - in an attempt to keep the home hearth burning. Long overdue, the realization has finally dawned on the Bhutanese people that the promise of hydropower is nothing but empty and unsustainable. Tourism was the shining star on the horizon. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic taught us that it too is fallible.
From my talk with the highest level of officials in the RGoB and global experts in the field of public health, it does not seem like we are going to see the reopening of tourism for some time to come. And I am now convinced that it would be hundred fold cheaper to keep the lid on - than face the risk of uncontrolled spread of the virus within the community.
I have long been promoting the idea that we must reorient our focus towards agriculture production, and that we have the land, the soil types, the climactic conditions, and the altitudinal variations - to grow anything we need or want - from a low of 97 Mtrs. to the high of 7,570 Mtrs. Towards that endeavor, the Rotary Club of Thimphu has been assisting the farmers in agriculture production - through provision of solar fencing, mechanized farm tools, tractors and tillers, delivery vans and power mowers and green houses and shade nets, including machinery for post harvest processing.
Recently - on 21st October, 2020, we handed over a small farm enterprise project to farmers in the remote Ada-Rukha areas, with funding from the Rotary Club of Brooklyn Park, USA.
One of the 13 barbed-wire fencings installed in the villages of remote Ada-Rukha
The Club President, RC Thimphu's Project Chair for the project, Senior DAO of Wangdue Dzongkhag, Athang Gup and some Members of the project coordination pose for a photo session
Another section of barbed-wire fencing
Smallest of our agriculture sector projects yet, the following are what have been delivered - to be followed up with a much larger Global Grant project:
Location of Project : Lawa-Lamga, Samthang and Rukha Chiwogs
Total length of Barbed Wire : 60,000 Mtrs
Total Villages Covered : 13 villages
Total land area fenced : 190 acres
For once, can we get serious with agriculture production? I know that agriculture production has recorded a steady decline over the years. But it is my believe that agriculture and farming still holds out great promise for the Bhutanese people, in spite of its failure in the past.
No comments:
Post a Comment