In Kalihati Upazila, the farmers are satisfied as the yield is increasing with the use of modern agricultural machinery. From planting to harvesting, modern machines are being used. The standard of living of the farmer is changing with the use of modern machinery out of old ideas. As a result, the cost is reduced, as well as the labor shortage is eliminated and the crop production is also increasing. Farmers with Kalihati Agriculture Department are optimistic about modernization in agriculture.
It can be seen that the farmers are raising crops using modern technology in the land of Kamarthi and Ichapur villages in Kalihati upazila. Day by day, the touch of modern machinery is increasing in agriculture. Harvesting is going on through combined harvesters. As a result, farmers are saving a lot of money in paddy cutting and threshing. 5000 taka is being spent by the farmer to harvest 50 percent of the land.
Mazharul Mia, a local farmer, said that this year, all the paddy cutting and threshing of the land has been done through machines. In this modern farming method, the time of harvesting rice has been saved as well as the production has increased compared to before. In addition, farmers are happy to reduce labor costs.
Farmer Shahjahan Mia said that cutting paddy with combine harvester machine takes much less time. Money is also spent less. Six to seven workers were required to harvest 100 percent of paddy in the traditional system. Then again it was cost to thresh that paddy with workers. But now, with the help of harvester machine, paddy and threshing are being done simultaneously without any additional cost.
Ripon, the driver of the combine harvester, said that 400 Shatak of the land can be harvested every day. With this harvester machine, about 50 percent of the land can be harvested every hour. The cost per cent is about 100 rupees. On the other hand, harvesting 50 percent of the land with labor cost twice as much. The amount of paddy that used to be wasted on the land during paddy harvesting is prevented. Now the farmers are only taking paddy home from the land. They do not even have to worry about rice straw. After harvesting, the paddy is spread on the ground by machines, which facilitates drying in the sun.
In this regard, the Kalihati Agriculture Officer said, the government is giving 50% subsidy for agricultural machinery combined harvester. Farmers are taking less money and time. Farmers are quite happy with the use of this technology in agriculture.
