Hot spell hampers Aman farming

The hot spell during the last few days is hampering cultivation of Aman crop in the district as labour cost has gone up due to the heat, and many farmers have not planted Aman seeds because of the labour crisis.

Labourer Manik Miah, 42, of Khochabari village in Sadar upazila, said they cannot stay long in the field due to the heat and have to rest in the shade frequently. “Due to the hot spell, we are not planting Aman seedlings, but we sometimes work for higher pay,” he added.

Six labourers in a team can plant Aman seedlings on three bighas of land per day in this heat, while it is five bighas when the temperature is normal, said labourer Moksed Ali, 38. “The farmer pays Tk 900 for planting seedlings on one bigha,” he said.

Farmer Sekendar Ali, 52, of Khochabari village said he spends Tk 900 to Tk 1,000 as labour cost for planting Aman seedlings on one bigha, whereas it was Tk 600 to Tk 650 last year.

“I have ploughed our eight bighas of land, but have not planted seedlings due to labour crisis,” said farmer Mantaz Ali, 55, of the village, adding that the hot spell is hampering Aman farming in the area.

Rangpur Meteorological Office said the highest recorded temperature this year was 36 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, while it was 25 degrees on the same day last year.

Department of Agriculture Extension  Deputy Director  Bidubhuson Roy said high temperatures for the last few days is delaying planting of Aman seedlings as the labourers are reluctant to work in the severe heat.