Labour crisis, water-logging trigger concern among Magura farmers

Our Correspondent | Published: August 07, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

MAGURA, Aug 6: Labour crisis and water-logging have raised concern among Aus growers of Magura.
It has been raining in torrents in the district for about 15 days. According to the Department Agricultural Extension (DAE), Magura, a total of 8050 hectares of land was brought under Aus cultivation in the district this season. A total of 20500 tonnes of rice are going to be produced in the district. The total rainfall in the district from July 22 to August 5 is 260 mm.
Now it is high time to harvest Aus paddy. But due to heavy rainfall most of the Aus fields in the district are facing water-logging. In this situation harvesting of paddy is being hampered. On the other hand, extreme labour crisis is prevailing in the district at present. Though labourers are available on high price they are showing reluctance to harvest water logged paddy.
When contacted, Bidduyt Biswas, an Aus farmer of village Jagla under Magura sadar upazila said, "I have cultivated Aus paddy in two bighas of land. The total land is now facing water-logging. I am looking for labourers for more than one week. Despite offering high price they are not agreeing to work in the water-logged field. If my paddy face water-logging for one more month the total paddy will be damaged."
Another farmer Jalal Hossen of village Akshi under Magura sadar upazila said, "Extreme labour crisis is prevailing in the district. I have cultivated Aus paddy in one bigha of land. It is high time to harvest my land. Labourers are demanding Tk 450 to 500 per day as against Tk 300 to 320 last year. But I am unable to afford such price. Finding no other alternative I along with my two sons are harvesting my paddy."
When contacted Magura DAE official Noabul Alam admitted, due to water-logging Aus fields are under water. He added, Aus farmers need not be worried as weather is improving from today (Thursday) and water in crop land is drying up.
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