Tanahun, Apr. 14: Despite the end of the month of Chait, the planting of Chaite paddy in Tanahun is still going on. The process has been delayed due to a shortage of youth available for work in the village.

This shortage stems from the migration of young men abroad in search of employment opportunities, leaving the village with limited labourers during the farming season. Consequently, tasks such as digging corners, ploughing, harvesting seeds, and planting are experiencing a deficiency in labour.

The allure of foreign employment leads to the migration of young persons abroad, leaving the village devoid of its youth. Consequently, women, children, and the elderly are compelled to engage in rice planting activities.

Sita Tripathi, a resident of Bhanu Municipality-2, Bhakunthok, noted the shift from the past, where labourers were plentiful, to the current situation where they are scarce due to increased demand for foreign employment. Tripathi highlighted the challenge of completing planting in the village before the second week of Chait, with only a few individuals available for work. The shortage of both male and female labour is identified as the root cause of this problem.

Kedar Kunwar, a resident of Bhanu Municipality-2, expressed the difficulty in cultivation exacerbated by the absence of young people in the village. Kunwar emphasised the need for an environment conducive to agricultural work with minimal manpower by ensuring easy and affordable access to equipment. He warned that failure to address this issue could result in a significant portion of fields being left fallow. Kunwar also mentioned the rising trend of leaving fields barren due to the high cost associated with oxen-ploughed fields.

The Agricultural Knowledge Centre in Tanahun reported a recurring issue of fields turning fallow due to the persistent lack of manpower. This scarcity is attributed to limited job opportunities within the country, prompting youth to seek employment abroad.

Political instability further exacerbates this trend, leading to a significant increase in foreign migration from the district. The Centre highlighted the annual paddy cultivation in the district and significant number of households with at least one member working abroad for foreign employment.

In response to the challenge, the Agricultural Knowledge Centre is actively promoting the cultivation of Chaite paddy. Kiran Pariyar, Information Officer of the Centre, elaborated on the incentives provided to farmers, including subsidies for seeds, transportation, irrigation, and equipment purchase. The programme aims to reduce dependency on rice imports from India by encouraging local production of Chaite paddy. Several farmer groups and cooperatives have been enlisted to cultivate Chaite paddy on a significant acreage of land, supported by subsidies and allocated funds.

The programme further extends support for the acquisition of essential agricultural machinery, with a significant allocation for irrigation infrastructure. Pariyar underscored the importance of Chaite paddy cultivation in reducing the reliance on imported rice products, particularly beaten rice. The initiative aligns with efforts to enhance local agricultural productivity and reduce dependency on external sources.

Published on: 15 April 2024 | The Rising Nepal