Surging labour wages make Boro harvest difficult

OUR CORRESPONDENT
BENAPOLE, May 06: Farmers in the Bhabadaha region of Jashore are facing mounting difficulties in harvesting their Boro paddy this season, as labour wages have nearly doubled, driven by an acute shortage of farm workers, making it difficult for them to bring their crops home.
Currently, a farm labourer charges between Tk 1,000 and Tk 1,200 per day for two shifts-morning and afternoon-equivalent to the market price of around one and a half maunds of paddy. Despite charging high wages, labourers remain less available.
With the start of the Boro harvesting season, temporary labour markets have sprung up at various points, including Manoharpur and Kapalia Bazar, sitting from early morning.
Labourers from different areas gather there with sickles and ropes, arriving by bicycle or van. Farmers then negotiate and hire them for specific periods. However, high demand has driven wages to unusually high levels.
Golden ripened paddy now sways across vast fields, painting the landscape in shades of yellow and green.
Although bumper production of paddy has brought smile to farmers' faces, it quickly faded away due to the rising cost and shortage of labour.
Farmer Md Jahangir from Manoharpur said that a group of farmers cultivating small plots are contributing to the wage hike.
"They hire workers at higher rates to harvest quickly, which pushes up the market price. As a result, genuine farmers are in trouble," he said.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the target for paddy cultivation in Manoharpur union this year was set at 770 hectares, which has been fully achieved.
Sub-assistant agriculture officer BM Jasim Uddin said about 70 per cent of the paddy has already ripened.
"If there is no major natural disaster, farmers should be able to harvest without problems. We have advised them to harvest once 80 per cent of the crop matures," he added. The upazila is predominantly agriculture-based, with around 90 per cent of farmers dependent on paddy cultivation. Typically, transplantation takes place from mid-Poush to mid-Magh. This year, favourable weather conditions have resulted in minimal crop damage so far.
Field visits show that most paddy is now ready for harvest, and farmers are working tirelessly to bring in their crops. Despite the intense summer heat, they remain engaged, driven by both urgency and satisfaction.
Farmers including Azharul Biswas, Roni Biswas, and Md Rafiqul Islam said yields are higher than previous years due to favourable weather. However, the high labour cost-Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,200 per worker per day-remains a major concern.
Others, including Jahangir and Roni from Khondkarpara village, said they are racing against time to harvest paddy quickly under favourable weather conditions.
Farmers Faruk Gazi, Rafiqul Islam, and Babul Akter credited government support and agricultural extension services for increased interest in paddy farming. They expect a bumper harvest this season due to adequate irrigation, absence of storms, and low pest infestation.
However, labour shortages and ongoing heat wave are affecting productivity, as workers are unable to perform at full capacity.
Farmers have called for government intervention through mechanisation to ease the harvesting process.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Mosammat Mahmudah Akter said that 27,010 hectares of land was brought under boro cultivation this season, in line with the target.
If weather conditions remain favourable, production is expected to reach approximately 16,260 tonnes.
Despite the positive outlook, authorities have urged people from all walks of life to stand by farmers to ensure timely harvesting amid labour shortages and weather uncertainties.
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