Around 30 percent of the maize crop in two gewogs of Mongar dzongkhag, that was hit by windstorms on June 27, suffered considerable damage, according to the agriculture minister, Lyonpo (Dr) Pema Gyamtsho. The minister visited some of the affected areas on July 9 with a team of agriculture, dzongkhag and gewog officials. According to a preliminary report, more than 80 acres of maize crop belonging to 96 households of Chali and Mongar were flattened by the windstorm. Meanwhile, villagers have been trying their best to straighten their crops using sticks. Meeting with the affected villagers, the minister promised free distribution of maize seeds for the next season. To cope up with food security, other grain seeds varieties like wheat, barley and mustard, suitable for the area, would also be given to farmers, according to their demand for winter cropping, and high quality vegetable seeds including potato for cash cropping, according to the minister. Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho also suggested preparing silage from the recoverable flattened maize to feed their cattle in the dry season and to supply a community-based silo-bin to store seeds. Earlier this week, households of the affected villages received a sum of Nu 3,000 and a quintal of rice from His Majesty's representative in Mongar, Her Royal Highness Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck. "We're at least happy to have received semsoe seolra and promises that we'll be given free seeds for alternate cropping,' said Lungten, the tshogpa (village representative) of Takchhu village. Lungten has decided to prepare silage out of his flattened maize. According to the Wengkhar RNR-RC's research officials, if the maize plant is affected at knee-height stage, there is a high chance of recovery. But if it is already tasseling, recovery will be minimum. Continuous rainfall and heavy storms also disrupted pollination, which would affect production, according to research officials. The research centre has a proposal to introduce short and strong variety of maize suitable to the area's climatic conditions. By Tshering Namgay