October 11-13, Trashiyangtse: A Capacity Building workshop on the Water User Association (WUA) for the irrigation Scheme (Lhakhang Jab and Nangkhar) is underway in Jamkhar, Gewog, Trashiyangtse from 11-13th October 2023. The main objective of this program is to sensitize the local communities, local government officials and agriculture extensions on the importance of the WUA and its benefits in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the irrigation scheme. Over the course of this three-day program, the WUA will be formally constituted, complete with an executive committee and duly approved bylaws. This setup will ensure the efficient and effective operation, management, and maintenance of the irrigation systems. In addition, participants will be sensitized on the social and environment safeguards (SES) related to the irrigation scheme.
The irrigation scheme, spanning six kilometers, covers a significant command area of 118 acres and will greatly benefit 117 vulnerable farming households in both Jamkhar Gewog, Trashiyangtse, and Yangneer Gewog, Trashigang. Despite the substantial agricultural potential in these two Gewogs, the lack of irrigation water has hindered the realization of this potential. This new irrigation scheme is expected to be a transformative force, reshaping the agricultural landscape in these gewogs.
The WUA is established to oversee the irrigation schemes supported through a project “Promoting Technologically Enabled Agriculture for the Vulnerable Farming Population in Bhutan” funded by the Government of Japan which is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in partnership with the UNDP Bhutan. The Workshop is facilitated by the resource persons from the Engineering Division under the Department of Infrastructure Development (DoID), Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. A total of 85 participants representing beneficiaries and local government officials from Jamkhar and Yangneer Gewogs, Agriculture Extension, officials from Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector, officials from DOID and UNDP Bhutan attended the program.
