Shortage of cattle prompts farmers in northwestern Bangladesh to deploy horses for paddy field cultivation
Photo Collected
Farmers in the Barind region of Rajshahi have turned to an unconventional solution to prepare their fields for the Boro rice season, deploying teams of horses to level their land. With recent rains triggering a flurry of planting activity, local farmers have faced a shortage of cattle, which were traditionally used to pull the heavy harrows needed to smooth the soil after mechanical tilling. To bridge this labor gap, growers in Godagari have hired horse owners from Singra in Natore to bring their animals to the fields.
The scene in the fields of Chaitanyapur village this past Friday underscored a shift in agricultural practices. Four horses were actively working the land, covering an estimated 20 bighas of soil per day. Unlike traditional ox-drawn harrows, which require a farmer to stand on the frame to add weight, these horse-drawn implements are equipped with custom handles that allow operators to exert downward pressure as needed.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Selim Hossain, a horse owner from Dahiya Union, explained that a single pair of horses can effectively level 10 to 15 bighas of land in a day. Hossain, who coordinates a small group of local horse owners, said their services have become highly sought after following the viral circulation of videos showcasing the technique on social media. This exposure prompted local tractor drivers to recruit them, leading to a steady stream of contracts across Godagari.
For the horse owners, the work is seasonal and itinerant. They travel across the country—moving from potato harvesting in Bogura to various cultivation tasks in regions like Kushtia—following the demands of the agricultural calendar. With little work available in their native Chalanbeel area during the current season, they have relocated to Rajshahi for the duration of the planting cycle.
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The temporary migration brings its own logistical challenges. To secure housing for themselves and their animals, the team has rented two abandoned brick kiln sheds for the duration of their stay. Hossain noted that while the rental cost is significant, the makeshift shelter is necessary to accommodate their equipment and the four working horses. The laborers rely on income generated directly from the field work to cover these expenses, highlighting the precarious nature of their nomadic service.
While the horses are essential to the regional farming economy, their owners maintain a careful balance between utility and preservation. Not every animal is put to work in the muddy fields; Hossain noted that he keeps one of his horses, a striking white animal, out of the harrow rotation to protect its coat and maintain its performance for future competitions. As the Boro season progresses, these teams plan to remain in the area for nearly two weeks, providing a critical service that has become a lifeline for farmers struggling to adapt to the modernization of local agriculture.
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