Labour shortage hits farmers

The farmers are in search of labourers who can engage in farm activities in their field, especially harvesting of paddy.

Some farmers have also visited Mysore, Hassan, Chamarajanagar districts in search of labourers. However, all their efforts went in vain as they were able to get only a handful of labourers. The farmers of plateau region have been successful in harvesting ragi, jowar, pulses owing to the good rainfall this year. Hence, the people of the plateau region are busy in harvesting for two months. As a result, the labourers from plateau region do not visit Kodagu in search of employment.

Many farmers have already started purchasing paddy harvester. However, the harvesters are not available easily in the market. The machines have to be brought from Tamil Nadu. It is supplied on first come first serve basis. Some farmers have developed their own ‘machine’ by attaching harvesting blade to the tiller for harvesting the crop temporarily.