Harvester Machine: Fast, Cheap, But No Straw! Farmers Weigh Pros & Cons

• Harvester machines are gaining popularity in Chhatarpur due to labor shortages and rising costs, replacing manual harvesting.
• Machine owner Bhagwanchandra Patel notes harvesters cut only grain, leaving no straw, which often leads to field burning or using a reaper.
• Machine harvesting costs significantly less at Rs 1,500 per acre compared to Rs 10,000 for manual labor, saving time for farmers.
• Farmer Natthu Patel highlights the machine's efficiency, preventing crop damage from weather and simplifying the harvesting process.
• While convenient and fast, the lack of straw production from harvesters poses environmental concerns if fields are burned.