Coping with labour pangs

Ruchika M Khanna

THE shortage of labour in Punjab due to the Covid-19 lockdown and the migrants’ exodus has prompted the state’s farmers to find mechanised solutions for paddy cultivation, which is expected to see a sizeable shift to direct seeding of paddy.

Farmers are not only looking at buying direct seeding of rice (DSR) machines, but also modifying wheat drill machines like zero-till machines and happy seeders — under the guidance of the state Agriculture Department — to slow the seed dispensation rate, making them conducive for direct seeding. And this modification is costing just Rs 1,000 per machine.

Agriculture Secretary, Punjab, Kahan Singh Pannu says 2,000 DSR machines would be supplied to farmers, including one-sixth to agriculture cooperative societies. The machines cost Rs 65,000, and 40 per cent subsidy is being given on the cost. “The department worked with engineers to use 2 lakh happy seeders by modification of the seed conveyor system (closing its groove partially with silicon) to slow the rate of seed dispensation. We have trained operators of small workshops across the state so that zero-till machines and happy seeders are so modified that the seed dispersal speed is reduced from 40 kg to 8-9 kg, which will then make the happy seeders the perfect machinery for direct seeding of rice,” he says.

The initiatives raise hope that the Covid-19 lockdown will not impact paddy cultivation in Punjab. Almost 30 lakh hectares’ area in the state is expected to be brought under paddy cultivation. Traditionally, paddy is first planted in nurseries and then transplanted in the fields by specialised labour that comes from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

It is estimated that each year, 10-12 lakh labourers come to Punjab for transplanting paddy. This year, however, the travel curbs have altered the scenario. According to estimates made by the Agriculture Department, just about two lakh labourers are available in the state for paddy transplantation. No wonder that the rates demanded by them from farmers are almost double than those given last year. Farmers in Sangrur say labourers are demanding Rs 5,000 per acre of transplanting as against Rs 2,000-2,500 in 2019.

Shagandeep Laddi, a farmer from Sangatpura village of Sangrur, says he has been using DSR machines for two years now. “I cultivate 12 acres, and one acre can be seeded in just 45 minutes. Farmers in and around my village have seen its efficiency. While I am using my DSR in others’ fields by charging them just Rs 700 per acre, the labourers are demanding Rs 5,000 per acre and no one can afford to pay that much. It’s obvious that farmers will go for direct seeding,” he explains.

However, Sukhpal Singh of Balianwala village in Rampura Phul says though mechanised solutions are available, these are too few and not uniformly present across the state. “The state government has announced now that it will give a 40 per cent subsidy on DSR machines. But we have been cautioned against over-mechanisation of farms for years. So, people are wary of buying new machines,” he says.

Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), expresses his anguish that the farmers are staring at a bleak future with regards to the paddy crop. “With fewer machines available, many farmers will have to go for transplanting paddy. Labour is not only not available, but wherever available is very expensive and will eat into farmers’ income. Those who cannot afford the labourers will have to do it on their own, and this transplanting season will lengthen. This could impact the yield and farmers could then suffer losses,” he rues.

Last year, PAU did direct seeding on 1 lakh acres, which was successful. The premier agricultural university has already announced the schedule for direct seeding of basmati and non-basmati varieties of paddy. Earlier, farmers were of the opinion that direct seeding led to excessive weed growth. But the state government has now arranged for weedicides that are very effective. Direct seeding also helps conserve groundwater.

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