Labour shortage, rise in cost hits rice production

Hassan: Sakleshpur is known for its coffee and rice production but the scenario has changed due to acute labour shortage and an increase in the production cost. If the situation prevails it would result in price rise, affecting common man.
In the taluk, rice is grown on 12,550 hectares, out of which 3,200 hectares is submerged in Hemavathi backwater. Currently 9,550 hectares is available for rice cultivation. Four thousand acres is used for multi crops. However, the farmers were not able to cultivate on 1,350 hectares this year.
Year after year fertile land is turning barren as the farmers are not able to use the land for cultivation due to uncertain rainfall but mainly due to labour shortage and rise in production cost.
"Earlier we could hire labourers easily and the cost was also low. Now because of better opportunities, youngsters are moving out. Even women are choosing industry work than agriculture. Those left are aged labourers who demand more wages," said Rohinakshi of Hanbaal.
They demand Rs 150 to 200 to work on paddy fields. If we say something they stop coming to fields from next day onwards, she said. "In one hectare we can grow 15 quintals at a production cost of Rs 15,000-16,000. Here most of the expenses go behind labour and at the end the grower does not get any profit. Because of low income, we can't even go for scientific equipment," said Hareesh BS, Heggadde. According to agriculture department data Sakleshpur taluk has not started cultivation on 1,350 hectares. In Hanbal and Kasaba hoblis 800 hectares of barren land. Earlier this was used for rice cultivation.
Wholesale trader Akbar Mohammed said: "Last year price for rice per kilo started at Rs 16 but this year this has reached Rs 21. Market price for packed rice will go high as demand is increasing."
"We are conducting training in every hobli to promote use of machineries in paddy cultivation. Already we have given subsidy on machines and eight machines are being used in Sakleshpur, " joint director of Agriculture department Shivaraju said.
With the help of these machines, farmers can bring down the use of manpower in cultivation. However, farmers must come forward and accept the change, he added.