Sylhet div Boro growers face shortage of day labourers

SYLHET, Apr 11: Boro growers of Sylhet division may face a severe shortage of day labourers during the upcoming harvesting season.

Sources said as a good number of poor people in the haor region had left their homesteads after the last year's devastating flood and crop loss, acute labour shortage may affect Boro harvest as the farmers will start harvesting the crop within two weeks.

Besides, thousands of labourers from Cumilla, Bogura, Rangpur Mymensingh and Noakhali districts used to come to Sunamganj and other neighbouring districts during the paddy harvesting period to make a good amount of money.

Even sometimes many of them were given advance remuneration months ahead of the season. But situation has changed now. Most of them will not come due to creation of local jobs, local sources said.

Farmer Anwar Hossain said he would begin harvest in a week.

He said he has already hired a group of 20 people from adjacent Biswambharpur upazila at a higher rate.

Rain and storm may affect the ripe Boro crop if harvest will not complete on time.

DAE Additional Director, Sylhet division, Md Altabur Rahman admitted the shortage of farm labourers this season.

He said the farmers should arrange harvest as soon as possible. "We are trying to arrange some mechanised harvest equipment for the haor region. A combined harvester is being given at highest 70 per cent discount for the less privileged areas like haor region", the official added.

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