Panamaram: To bring the paddy fields of Wayanad back to life, migrant workers from West Bengal have once again started arriving in groups, ensuring that the region’s green paddies flourish despite a shortage of local labour.

With local workforce dwindling, the rhythmic tunes that usually echo across the paddy fields now resonate in Bengali instead of the traditional Kambalanatti songs. Teams of labourers from West Bengal have climbed the hills to reach Wayanad at a time when many fields were at risk of lying fallow, as farmers struggled to find enough local help for re-planting the saplings,  a process locally known as natti. Unlike traditional practice, it is now male workers, rather than women, who are carrying out this task.

These migrant workers follow a unique rhythm and speed in replanting the paddy saplings, earning ₹5,000 for replanting one acre. Starting their day at 6 AM, they work until 6.30 PM, sitting, kneeling and even bending over the fields to pluck and replant the saplings with both hands.

Besides replanting paddy, the workers say they are adept at all forms of agricultural work.

The shortage of farm workers has been exacerbated by many locals joining the employment guarantee scheme run by the panchayat. However, the arrival of Bengali workers has encouraged even those farmers who had initially decided against cultivating this season, to prepare their fields, albeit with some delay.