Even though Aghon is yet to arrive, fearing increased depredation by wild elephants, farmers in Greater Rani — the famous sali paddy belt on the western outskirts of Guwahati — have started harvesting paddy early this season.
The paddy of farmers who had sown seedlings early in the month of Ahaar has already started to ripen. Fearing elephant menace, they have begun harvesting with several days still left for Aghon.
The fields, turned golden with grains, are now busy with farmers and harvesters. In many parts of Rani, farmers are forced to cut paddy even before it has properly ripened. While elephant depredation during harvest is not new in Rani, this time many farmers are being forced to cut half-ripe paddy itself.
Farmers including Baleswar Rangpi of Deuchutal near Deepor Beel who cultivates in Anderijuli, young farmer Jon Rabha of Bikrampur, Dinesh Nath of Puran Sukurbariya and Ramesh Das of Moirapur said paddy cutting in Rani generally begins after Aghon starts, but this time they have to cut early due to elephants.
The fields are now bustling with activity to bring home the golden harvest. Amid songs and merriment, the swish-swish sound of sickles resonates across the fields. Although much paddy has been destroyed by elephant trampling, farmers have started harvesting to save whatever remains.
Ideal farmer Baleswar Rangpi, ideal planter and Azara Gaon Panchayat President Kavita Boro Rangpi, and farmer Dinesh Nath said farmers are happy to harvest the crop they cultivated with great hardship four-five months ago, toiling in sun and rain.