LAKKI MARWAT: Farmers here have started reaping wheat and gram crops with the commencement of harvest season.

Though the recent spell of rains delayed the harvest, it is now in full swing in all parts of the district. The growers along with their relatives and friends are engaged in cutting crops aiming to complete the process before the start of Ramazan.
Rich farmers have hired daily wagers to harvest crops for them who receive their wages on daily basis or get their share in the harvested crops.

A farmer said that the recent spell of heavy rains delayed the start of harvest season for some days, but they were optimistic to complete the process by the end of this month. Also, the mechanical form of harvest is gradually replacing the manual method where farmers cut crops with sickles.

In the past, farmers along with their family members used to reach their fields on bull, camel and donkey carts early in the morning and would spend the entire day harvesting crops. Women would also take active part in this activity.

Now everything has changed as many farmers use modern agricultural appliances for harvesting of wheat and gram crops.

“The use of mechanical reapers and other machinery for crop cutting is useful to save time and complete the harvesting quickly,” said a grower in Ghaznikhel village. He said that only rich farmers could afford using modern agricultural appliances for sowing and harvesting.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2019