Sunflower Cultivation Taken up as a Measure Against Irrigation and Labour Shortage
- Binoy Majumder
- May 5, 2016
- 2 min read
Farmers of West Bengal are facing different issues. Especially the lack of irrigation facility and shortage of agricultural labour are two important issues. The problem is more prominent in the areas, where water table is very low, and apart from the monsoon rainfall, there is no other irrigation source available. Even in the areas where the water table is comparatively higher and accessible more easily, the water price during boro (summer) cultivation is shoring sky-high and beyond the capacity of marginal and small farmers. In most of the places they are abandoning cultivation and taking up labour work in different un-organized sectors. This problem is very prominent and severe in the blocks of Sundarbans area.
Farmers of Namkhana, Gosaba, Sandeshkhali-1, Sandeshkhali-2, Sagar, Hingalgonj are worst hit by this change. Small farmers and previously agri-labours are no-more interested in cultivation work throughout the year. After amon (rain) cultivation, which is mostly with rain water, the cultivation is stopped for the rest of the year. And marginal, small, and landless farmers leave their village and go to different cities for taking up labour work.
This has created a huge scarcity of agricultural labour in the villages. Those who are still in cultivation cannot get enough agri-labour. There is also serious lack of irrigation facility in this area. Therefore they are taking up alternative cultivation.
In Namkhana, Gosaba, and other block of Sundarbans, many farmers have taken up sunflower cultivation. We have talked with some of the cultivators. They told us that this particular cultivation has gained popularity during post-Ayla scenario. Sunflower cultivation doesn't require extensive irrigation like paddy, and vegetables. It requires less agri-labour. They opined that the plant grows naturally and without any special care. And the sunflower oil is gaining rising popularity in those areas. Therefore the cultivation is bringing some profit in their pocket.
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