Growers in the district are apprehending a shortage of labourers during the ongoing Boro paddy harvest amid the upsurge of Covid-19 cases across the country.
Although the harvesting in some Beel areas has already started, it will begin in full swing within the next 10 days.
Sources at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said Boro paddy was cultivated on a total of 1,87,760 hectares of land under eleven upazilas of the district this season.
About 4,25,000 workers are required to complete the harvesting, but there are only 3,46,000 local workers available in the district until now, the sources added.
One Obaidullah Rocky of sadar upazila said, "I expect a good output of Boro paddy this year, but I am concerned about harvesting as we have to mostly depend on external workers during this period every year."
"As the coronavirus situation has worsened, I am worried about whether the workers can reach our area before the harvesting begins," he added.
Shamsul Wadud, Deputy Director of Naogaon DAE, said all the UpazilaNirbahi Officers (UNOs) of the district in association with upazila level agriculture officers sent their respective requisitions for workers a few days ago.
