Prospects in waiting post- farm road’s arrival

Completion of a three kilometer farm road in Zumi Gewog signals development prospects but farmers will have to take up cash crops cultivation to reap the benefits. Khelikha village, one of the five chiwogs in Zomi Gewog under Punakha Dzongkhag is about 30 minutes away from the nearest road head. The village has around 215 households. The Gewog Administration Officer (GAO) Yonten Gyamtsho said that the farm road has no present benefit as such because farmers in Khelikha do not rely on cash crops, but there is a plan to promote cash crops among farmers. “Moreover with increase in value of land, the farmers can have a better future,” said the GAO. The farm road budgeted for Nu. 500,000 is part of the 10th Five Year Plan funded by the Royal Government of Bhutan.