Andhra Pradesh - Others   

Machines replace men at work

J.B.S. Umanadh

HARVESTER BOOM: Big farmers are opting for the combines that harvest and also separate grain. — Photo: Mohd. Arif

Sangareddy: The landscape of Kondapur and Andole mandals resembles the vast tracts of golden wheat crop. The paddy-harvesting season that would have employed large number of women, whose folk songs used to reverberate in the chilly November atmosphere, is now replaced with the monotonous roar of the harvesters. Each harvester, presently hired from pioneering States like Punjab and Haryana, can harvest as many as five acres in a day.

No choice

With the demand for rythu coolies doubling this season and the supply of womenfolk being doubtful, landlords have no choice but to go for harvesters coupled with the grain separator. The harvester combine comes at Rs 1,400 a day.

The daily labourer charges between Rs. 40 to 50 a day and a bottle of toddy while the Government stipulates a minimum wage of Rs. 70 to Rs. 100.

Buchi Reddy, a progressive farmer of Peddapur village, told The Hindu that he could not find sufficient number of labourers to cut the crop and on top of it they were charging exorbitant wages.

Pointing out the negative aspects of the harvester business, secretary of Medak unit of Andhra Pradesh State Agriculture Labour Union R. Srinivas said the machine harvested rice stalks are not fit for animal consumption. He said the loss would nullify the advantages of the harvester. The machines also spill grain, which cannot be recovered by the farmer. However, he says the displacement of labour is not alarming.

Subsidy

Speaking to The Hindu , Dommaiah, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Medak, said that the department was willing to forward applications to Andhra Pradesh Agros, which provides 30 per cent subsidy to any one who would like to purchase a harvester. A new harvester costs between Rs. 1.25 lakhs and 1.50 lakhs. He said that most of the harvesters seen in the district have either come from northern States or from dealers in Hyderabad.

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