Despite a bumper yield, many farmers are struggling to harvest their paddy because of a shortage of money and labour. Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called on party leaders and activists to stand by farmers, and Chhatra League activists in various districts have been harvesting paddy and bringing it home for them. Chhatra League activists in Chuadanga have now done the same.

On Friday and Saturday (29 April), Chuadanga district Chhatra League activists harvested four bighas of paddy in the fields of Bujgorgori and Gaidghat villages in Chuadanga Sadar. Imdadul Haque Sajal, organising secretary of Chuadanga municipal Chhatra League, took part.

Rezaul Mia, a farmer from Bananipara in Chuadanga municipality, said he could not harvest his paddy because of money problems, and a Kalbaishakhi storm was also possible. "I was very worried. Then the Chhatra League boys found out and came and cut the paddy on my land. It helped me a lot. I am very happy with their work, and I also thank the prime minister for it," he said.

He added that because the prices of fertiliser, seed, irrigation and pesticide had risen, he had to borrow heavily to grow the crop, and harvesting with hired labour had become almost impossible for him. "The Chhatra League boys rescued me from this trouble."

Alihim Fakir, a farmer from Buddhimanpara in Chuadanga Sadar, said he had planted two bighas of paddy but could not harvest it for lack of money. "Sajal bhai of Chhatra League came with his activists and first cut my paddy. Today they cut Rezaul bhai's two bighas," he said, thanking the activists and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, "because it happened on her instructions".

Chhatra League activist Arfin Sajib said they were harvesting paddy and bringing it home for farmers under Sajal's leadership, following the central committee's instructions, and would stand by ordinary people in future too.

Imdadul Haque Sajal said that after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's call, the president and general secretary of the Chhatra League central executive committee took part in harvesting and directed activists to cut paddy for helpless farmers. The harvesting will continue on behalf of Chuadanga district Chhatra League, he said.

He said they started in the morning and had cut two bighas by midday, after cutting two bighas the day before. "If poor and helpless farmers contact us, we will cut their paddy."

Chuadanga district Chhatra League activists Sumon, Nasim, Raisul Islam, Yusuf, Likhon, Sabbir, Touki, Ankon, Anik, Al-Mamun, Romel and several others took part.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.