Paddy cutting machine drives farmers to change their profession

Even five years ago, rice harvesters would wait for the month of Baishakh to start paddy harvesting. However, the time has changed nowadays. Farmers are using various types of modern machines to harvest rice.

As a result, both labor and money are being saved for the farmers. However, agricultural workers are becoming unemployed. They are forced to abandon their ancestral profession and choose other professions.

Md Mokbul Mia, a dweller in Ghagra village of Mithamain upazila, left his paddy harvesting profession three years ago. He is now a driver of auto rickshaw in the district.

Like the Mokbul Mia, many other paddy harvesting workers left their farming profession. Some of these people have become rickshaw puller, tea stall owner, street food seller instead of farmer.

It takes a lot of time to harvest one bigha of paddy using the traditional method. Many workers are also needed to carry and thresh the crops after harvest. Around six to seven workers are needed to for the task. Even, at least Tk7,000-Tk8,000 is required as wage for the workers. However, using modern equipment for this task takes less time and money.

District Workers' Union General Secretary Md. Khorshed Uddin said, "People's professions are changing. We choose different professions to keep up with the times. However, agriculture is a profession that makes it very difficult for those who have learned it to switch to a new profession. With the increasing use of technology in agriculture today, agricultural workers are worried about their future."