A couple of very demanding jobs on the farm

There was a discussion recently on Sulekha about the rising food prices everywhere, for rice etc., which also alluded to the shortage of farm labor at harvest time, and indicated that some laborers preferred taking jobs in building roads rather than assisting farmers in harvesting.

It is not a mere coincidence that quite a few laborers try to avoid working on farms at harvest time. Note that some of the tasks in farming are very demanding due to several reasons, such as severe weather conditions and shortage of time to complete the job leading to enormous pressure and rush. These tasks can physically drain people for a long time. The laborers therefore are reluctant to undertake such jobs, leading farmers to pay them considerably more for getting outside help at harvest time, etc.

To shed more light on this topic and give due credit to farmers, including for higher monetary return to them and also to show appreciation and respect for what they do in the field, the following information is presented here on two of the difficult farming jobs (1).

(1)    Planting of rice: 

This is done manually during summer monsoon (rainy) season in high heat and humidity which makes this type of work extremely uncomfortable. The field is muddy and full of water so that the rice seedlings can be planted easily at proper distances and quickly. There is also the occurrence of intermittent rain, making everything (including workers’ clothes) wet.  The person doing the planting is usually barefoot so that walking and working in mud becomes easier (2 - Exhibit A). Moreover, this job requires the worker to bend which is tiring and can hurt the back. The field usually has leeches, sharp stone pieces and sometimes washed away thorns causing problems and pain to workers. 

   
                  Exhibit A   

(2)    Harvesting of wheat: 

This is done during early part of summer, before the rains arrive, in extreme heat and under the blazing sun. The fields are quite dry and dusty. Workers, usually feeling hot and sweaty, have to sit on their feet, moving forward while sitting, to chop most of the stalk (as close as to the ground) so that they not only recover the grain but also most of the dried wheat plant for fodder to their livestock. 

The dried wheat plant usually has sharp and stiff needlelike tentacles near the grain, perhaps plant’s natural defense against grain-stealing pests and birds, which can hurt if they come in contact with a worker’s hands or skin. This needs a person harvesting the grain to be careful so that he does not unnecessarily get pricked on his face and hands by sharp and stiff tentacles. Similarly, the dry and powdery husk from a wheat plant can cause itch and rash to a worker if it lands on his body, especially near the bare neck area. The husk can also lead to breathing problems if it is inhaled by accident. This requires a person harvesting the wheat to be careful and avoid coming in contact with husk.

Needless to say, the wheat harvesting is a tiring and tough job. It makes a worker sweat constantly, in heat and sun, causing him to become dehydrated.  Therefore a constant intake of water and other fluids is required while doing this work.

In conclusion, people should remember some of these farming tasks when they pay a visit to their grocery store to fetch a bag of rice or wheat-flour.  

References

(1)    Seva, http://forums.sulekha.com/forums/shopping/A-couple-of-very-demanding-jobs-on-the-farm-9820.htm#9820

(2)    P.G. Thakurta,  “Is India facing a food crisis” http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7327858.stm

- Seva (Subhash C. Sharma)