MANIKGANJ, June 1, 2025 (BSS) - The harvesting of Boro paddy started with the easy harvesting using the harvesters in all seven upazilas of the district during the current season.

To modernize and mechanize the agriculture sector, the government has distributed, through Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), 126 combined harvesters so far among the farmers of the seven upazilas of the district for easy and short-time harvesting of their main crop, Boro paddy. 

The number of combined harvesters was 76 in the district up to 2021, but the shortage of labourers, farmers are being interested in using the combined harvesters day by day.

DAE Deputy Director Dr. Robiah Noor Ahmed said, "The government, through the DAE, has been distributing the combine harvester machines at a subsidized rate." 

The farmers, their groups, or local service providers can purchase the combined harvester machines at 50 percent subsidized rates for harvesting their own cultivated paddy and providing the same services at reduced costs to their fellow farmers.
 
"A farmer can harvest and clean Boro paddy of one acre of land using a combined harvester machine in an hour spending Taka 3,000" DAE office sources said, adding that a farmer spends Taka 6,000 for the same purpose on one acre of land by engaging labourers.

The sources said most of the combined harvesters were distributed informally among the farmers while a few of them were distributed formally.
 
DAE office sources said a total 126 combined harvesters were distributed in the district. But 109 are functioning properly and 17 are not working.