Rising Labour Wages Push Nalgonda Paddy Farmers to Direct Sowing

Nalgonda: Farmers in Nalgonda district are increasingly shifting from sowing in paddy nurseries to direct sowing of paddy seeds due to sharp increase in agricultural labor wages.

Workers’ wages in the current Yasangi crop season have increased by 20 to 30 percent compared to the last kharif season. Cultivation of paddy nurseries alone now costs over ₹6,000 per acre. While the daily wage of women agricultural workers increased from ₹600 to ₹800 last season, male workers who have to carry paddy nurseries to the fields are paid ₹1,100 per day. Farmers also have to cover workers’ transportation costs. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find agricultural workers for planting.

As a result, farmers prefer direct sowing of paddy seeds, which significantly reduces planting costs. According to the agriculture department’s estimates, the area under direct cultivation of paddy has increased to 1.5 lakh acres in the current Yasangi season from 40,000 acres in the previous kharif season.

Farmer N. Yadagiri said that the increase in labor wages has increased the cost of cultivation significantly. He added that fertilizer and pesticide prices have also increased compared to the last crop season, leaving farmers with no option but direct sowing to reduce costs.

District agriculture officer P. Sravan Kumar said direct cultivation of paddy helps farmers save both time and money. He added that if the method is adopted correctly, crop yield will not be affected.