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Bumper paddy production likely

Farm labour crisis may hamper harvesting in Rajshahi


Published : 30 Apr 2020 09:46 PM | Updated : 05 Sep 2020 03:19 AM

The favourable climatic condition and timely, available supply of all inputs, is likely to ensure a bumper production of Boro Paddy in Rajshahi district during this summer. 

Farmers of the district opined, they did not witness so nice and huge yield of paddy in their field during the last one decade. However, they were apprehending the shortage of farm labourers for harvesting the paddy. 

Regional Agriculture Extension office sources in Rajshahi have also expressed their hope for a bumper production of paddy in four districts of Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore and Chapianawbganj unless the crop is damaged in inclement weather. 

DAE sources also estimate the production of some 15 lakh metric tonnes of rice in four districts. The reaping of paddy will be started in next one week and within the third week of May all the paddy is likely to be reaped from the field. 

DAE sources further informed, the target of Boro cultivation in four districrt was on 3,48,410 hectares of land in four districts whereas the actual cultiavtion is on 3,53,035 hectares of land and, accordingly 14,79,216 metric tonnes of rice is likely to be produced in the districts.

Saiful Isam(5o), a farmer of Mohishalbari village under Godagari upazila informed, there is a spectacular yield of paddy in the fields. He mentioned, he did not witness such an excellent yield of paddy in the field during his lifetime. He hoped for a bumper production of paddy unless there is any natural disaster during the reaping season and shortages of farm labourers.

According to sources, Boro paddy has been cultivated in 1,82,450 hectares of land in Naogoan, 66,265 hectares in Rajshahi, 57,070 hectares in Natore and 47,250 hectares in Chapainawabganj districts this year.  

To ease harvesting paddy in due time, farmers of the four districts have been supplied 70 Combined Harvester machines and 10 Reaper machines this year while 87 CHs and 158 RMs were supplied to them during the previous year. Farmers informed it takes only one hour to reap and process paddy of one bigha of land through CH machine while for the same job, at least five farm labourers require an entire day. 

Farmer Ashfaquzzaman of Kesabpur area under Godagari said he has cultivated Boro paddy on 10-bighas of land and hopes to reap paddy within next one week. He opined, like him, all other farmers of the upazila were highly hopeful of a bumper paddy production this season. He expects a good profit by selling paddy if the market price of Paddy is satisfactory.

Agriculture Officer of Bagha upazila Shafiullah Sultan informed, there is an apprehension of labourer shortage due to Coronavirus situation. But, the local administration was allowing the movement of farm labourers to the fields after taking proper precautionary measure. 

Shamsul Haque, Deputy Director of DAE, Rajshahi informed, farmers and farm labourers have been requested to work at the field by maintaining social distance, wearing masks and gloves and to wash their hands and faces with soap water after returning to their houses. 

Sudhendra Nath Roy, Additional Director of DAE, Rajshahi Region, informed already reaping of paddy has been started in Chalanbeel region of Naogaon and Natore districts but the reaping of paddy in Rajshahi and Chapai districts would be delayed because paddy was cultivated there after harvesting potato. He further said there was no shortage of farm labourers in the districts. 

In addition to farm labourers, hundreds of unemployed construction workers, brick kilns workers, rickshaw van pullers were now staying idle in their houses. If needed, those labourers would be employed in harvesting paddy, he said adding that the HC machines and the Reaper machines should also be used properly to reap the paddy home as soon as possible.