Farmers in Punakha were rewarded with bumper paddy harvests despite an erratic rise in average temperature, this year

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Farmers request the government to supply chemical fertilizers for further motivation
Bhutan, along with the globe, has been feeling extreme heat and harsh climatic conditions. The country recorded the highest temperature of 38.5C In Punakha on July 15, this year.
Punakha saw a rise in temperature from 34.6 degrees Celsius on July 2 to 38.5 degrees Celsius on July 15, breaking all previous records worrying the farmers of Punakha.
Situated at an elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level, the climatic conditions in Punakha consist of warm winters and hot summers. 
Punakha consists of two major rivers, Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu which bless lands with rich alluvial soil, and favors rich paddy cultivation making Punakha the rice bowl of Bhutan.
The plantation of rice seedlings in Punakha starts from April to June. Until the time for harvest, the work requires constant weeding and irrigation. The harvest season starts from September till November.
However, with the start of the harvesting season, farmers are found to be content with the increased quantity of harvest despite the crops experiencing harsh climatic changes like extreme heat, and untimely rainfall. 
Karma Tandin Dorji, a farmer in Punakha said, “My paddy yield this year has exceeded my expectations by yielding far better than last year even though it was challenged by extreme climatic conditions.” 
He added that the quality of the paddy turned out much better compared to previous years.
Another farmer, Yangki, 45 said, “I have not yet harvested my paddy, but looking at it, it looks like I am going to have a successful yield.”
Among varieties of rice produced in the dzongkhag, Ngam-Ja, Tan-Tshering, and Shelngap-Maap are the most popular rice produced. 
The price of the rice ranges from quality and taste. The price of rice is sold by measuring in a traditional measuring bowl known as Drey.
Due to the huge production of paddy, farmers of Punakha also depend on producing rice-based products like Zaw (beaten rice) and Mekhu (Rice flour Snack).
Although the farmers of Punakha are pleased with the year’s paddy yield, people are expecting governmental assistance for similar unprecedented paddy yield and further mass production of paddy in the dzongkhag. 
Dorji, 40, shared that the government should make it easier for the farmers to avail chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
 “If the government starts providing the farmers with both red and white chemical fertilizers, it would encourage the farmers for qualitative and quantitative paddy production.”
He also said that the farmers should be given weed pesticides since the weeds tend to grow rampantly which requires constant human labor.