Labour shortage delays paddy harvest, raises cost in Gopalganj

GOPALGANJ, May 23: Boro harvest in the district is hampered for shortage of farm labour this season.

Sources said farmers are worried over the crisis. Labour shortage leads production costs. Most of the growers cannot afford it.

Grassroots farmer Mujibur Kazi of Nilokhi village under Sadar upazila said a labourer charges Tk 700 to Tk 800 per day.

Masiur Sheikh, another farmer of Naldanga village said rice inside husk gets dry locally call 'chita' due to delayed harvest. Farmers have no way but to hire the labourers at the higher rate.

Md Mizanur Rahman, upazila agriculture officer, Gopalganj Sadar, said an acute labour crisis has been prevailing during this current harvesting period.

About 40 per cent of Boro paddy in this area could not be harvested yet, the official added.

[email protected]