Local leaders, teachers, traders, students, and boy scouts have joined hands in harvesting Boro paddy in haor areas of Moulvibazar, racing against the impact of incessant rain, flash floods and the shortage of farm workers caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner Nazia Shirin, Superintendent of Police Faruk Ahmed, and Municipality Mayor Md Fazlur Rahman, are some of the many who lent a hand to farmers harvesting crops in Hakaluki, Kauadighi, and Baikkabil Hail haor regions.
They hoped their action would inspire others to help farmers, as Boro crops require timely harvesting.
Hundreds of Chhatra League men, like many others across the country, have been helping farmers during the harvest season in the past three days, acting on the premier’s directives, said Sahab Uddin Sabel, president of Juri upazila unit Chhatra League.
The lack of public transport, triggered by the ongoing shutdown to rein in coronavirus, has confined labourers to their homes and left farmers in trouble.
“In this crisis, we will harvest and deliver the farmer's crop to his doorstep when farmers contact us,” added Sabel.
Farmers expressed their gratitude to local Chhatra League men as they expressed their intention of continuing the task for more farmers.
Farmer Monoranjan Biswas said: “We had a good Boro yield this season. I am a poor man. I was worried about harvesting my paddy in time, due to farmworker shortages and flash floods. Some Chhatra League men harvested my paddy and I will always be grateful to them.”
Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner Nazia Shirin said: “There is a shortage of farm labourers due to coronavirus fears this year. It's been raining here for a few days. I have visited fields in the haor region so that people are inspired to help farmers whose crops are at risk due to the rains and flash floods. Already, 65 percent of the paddy has been harvested in the district. We are ready to operate 35 combine harvesters and 113 reaper machines.”
Labour crisis worries farmers in Nilphamari
Farmers expressed concern about arranging farm workers as Boro harvesting is about to begin in 20 to 25 days in Nilphamari.
Boro rice was cultivated on 82,665 hectares of land in Nilphamari where a bumper harvest of 394,536 tons is expected this season, according to Department of Agricultural Extension sources.
Abdul Matin, a farmer of Charkharibari village in Dimla upazila, said: “I have cultivated Boro paddy on 5 bighas of land this season. But harvesting is adversely impacted due to the countrywide shutdown triggered by the coronavirus outbreak. Labourers often go from village to village during the harvesting season. If they cannot get out of their homes in time, farmers have much to worry about.”
District DAE Deputy Director Nikhil Chandra Biswas, said: “labourers who left Nilphamari for harvesting in other districts will get back before the harvest begins here. We have 19 combine harvesters. Ten more will be readied. Hopefully there won’t be any crisis for farm workers here.”