Kozhikode: With the paddy fields inundated in the unexpected rains in Velam Peruvayal paddy farms, the Fire and Rescue personnel, locals and Civil Defence volunteers, joined hands to help the farmers.
Most farmers cultivating in Peruvyal area used to harvest with the help of harvesting machines. As the paddy fields were waterlogged in the sudden rains that lashed the region, harvesting machines could not be brought into the fields.
With special permission from the District Collector, locals and civil defence volunteers led by the Fire and Rescue personnel decided to harvest the crop in the 70 acre paddy field.
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The harvesting was done with proper care given to ensure social distancing norms. All volunteers and fire personnel wore masks and other safety equipments including gloves.
V K Abdulla, panchayath president and Nadapuram Fire and Rescue Station Officer C K Vasath led the harvest activities. Staff with the Agriculture Department and the Health Department also joined in the venture.
Farmers across states in India are already in trouble as their wheat, a rabi crop, is ready to be harvested and there are no labourers to help them to garner it.
The 21-day lockdown, which was imposed to combat spread of coronavirus in the country by the union government over two weeks ago, had resulted in shortage or no availability of workers.
