PALAKKAD: Despite mechanisation being the buzz word in paddy cultivation in the state, farmers continued to depend on neighbouring states for combined harvesters. The farmers used to shell out nearly Rs 1 crore per season for renting combined harvesters from other states.
But with the all-woman labour army trained in using power reapers coming into the picture, the scene is gradually changing.
Somadas, who has been cultivating paddy in 30 acres taken on lease in Podupadam in Pannangattiri in Nenmara block, agreed.
“Till two years ago, I was depending on combined harvesters, mainly from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. I used to spend Rs 1 lakh per season for combined harvesters. Now, I have switched over to power reapers operated by women. They charge Rs 4,000 per acre, including harvesting, threshing and loading the paddy into the vehicle. There is less loss of grains too,” said Somadas.
Sundaram, who brings combined harvesters from other states on contract, detailed the advantages of having combined harvesters.
“We charge Rs 1,700 per hour for combine harvesters (with tyres) which is used on dry fields and Rs 2,200 for machines with metal wheels which can harvest in wet lands. Work could be completed fast using combined harvesters,” said Sundaram, a native of Pothundy near Nenmara.
Sundaram added that the farmers might still have to rely on combined harvesters from other states.
Sundaram also pointed out the difficulties in maintaining the combined harvesters.
“Various block panchayats have combined harvesters. But most of them are on repair. Once they develop a snag there is no one to repair them,” he said.
Sheena Satheesan, president of the Evergreen Vanitha Labour Bank, Nenmara, said: “We have 48 members of which 35 were active. We use the power reapers of Kamco to harvest and we charge Rs 4,000 per acre. It includes harvesting, threshing and loading into the vehicles. The reapers are owned by the labour bank. In case of reapers, though the rent vis-a-vis combined harvesters is nearly double, there is no loss of grains. We can save at least Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 worth of paddy grains per acre using the reaper.”
Somadas echoed similar sentiments. “If combined harvesters are used, farmers gain only Rs 2,000 per acre. But farmers garner Rs 4,000 per acre if they use reapers.” Sainaba, secretary of the Evergreen bank, added:
“When reapers are used,
we will be getting additional days of work and the money remains in the rural economy. We have been trained to drive tractors and climb coconut trees, besides we are also trained in bio-farming and drip irrigation. Our members also drive autos in Palllasena and Nenmara when there is no work.”V S Santhosh Kumar, chief executive of the Mahila Kisan Sashakthikaran Yojana (MKSY) said: “The farmers always prefer combined harvesters as the work can e completed at a fast pace even though there is loss of grains. Each combined harvester costs between s 25 lakh to Rs 35 lakh and there should be proper maintenance while a reaper costs just Rs 80,000. We encourage farmers to use reapers so that the rural women gets jobs.”