KOLANCHERI: As Onam draws near, paddy farmers in the district are facing a crisis due to a severe labour shortage. Agricultural practices which relied on native West Bengali laborers for planting and harvesting rice have been disrupted as many have chosen to work under the Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Despite the approaching harvest season, rice farmers are struggling to find enough workers to plant and weed the paddies. The shift of laborers to the NREGS has led to a decline in the number of experienced workers available for rice farming leaving many fields with weeds and causing panic among farmers about their ability to make it to Onam.

In the past, paddy farmers heavily depended on native West Bengali laborers to prepare their land and plant rice. However, this practice changed when many laborers chose to join the NREGS, leading farmers to hire workers from other states to fill the void. These workers have exceeded expectations by completing the planting process in just a fraction of the time and at half the cost compared to local laborers.

Rs 5500 for one acre

A group of workers from other states who arrived on an experimental basis demonstrated impressive skills and efficiency. These workers are paid around 5000-5500 rupees for working in one-acre field and they can finish the job in a mere three to four hours.

Rs 450 and other expenses

Local women workers finish the same work in a whole day requiring 18 to 22 laborers with expenses amounting to 400-450 rupees per person. The combination of labour shortage, high local wages and increased costs has been driving farmers away from rice cultivation.

However, the arrival of foreign workers has come as a blessing ensuring the continuity of rice cultivation. As the labour shortage persists local bodies are now encouraged to utilize the workers of the employment guarantee scheme for rice cultivation.

Biju Kumar, Young Farmer, Kolancheri