HYDERABAD, March 22: The Sindh Farmers Association has expressed concern over an inordinate increase in the prices of fertilizers and expressed apprehension that if the government does not move against the profiteers and stockists, the agriculture sector of the province will receive a setback.

A meeting of the executive committee of the association held here on Thursday under the chairmanship of Ghulam Nabi Morai discussed the situation arising out of non-availability of fertilizers at the rates fixed by the government.

It observed that all of a sudden, the prices of fertilizers had been increased without reasonable grounds and new prices were beyond the reach of small farmers. It pointed out that the price of phosphate fertilizers (DAP) had increased from Rs800 to Rs1,350 per bag which was almost 60 per cent.

The meeting noted that other fertilizers such as potash were not even available in the market. It expressed apprehension that if the government did not move against the profiteers and stockists now, the agriculture sector of Sindh would face grave consequences.

The meeting also expressed concern over drastic and arbitrary reduction of more than Rs10 per 40kg in sugarcane price by the Sindh chapter of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association without any rhyme or reason.

It maintained that it was despite the fact that there was high recovery of sucrose from the sugarcane during the month of March. It regretted that the farmers of Sindh were being exploited by the sugar mill owners.

It called upon the provincial and federal governments to intervene and undo the cartel imposed on the sugarcane growers by the PSMA, Sindh.

It reminded the government that the harvesting of wheat had already started in Sindh but the provincial government had not yet commenced the purchase of wheat from the growers. It urged the government to start purchasing wheat.

SAU PLAN: The Sindh Agriculture University is planning to establish ethno-botany department to help boost research in medicinal plants and their possible use in ethno-veterinary medicine.

This was announced by SAU vice-chancellor Professor Dr Bashir Ahmed Sheikh at the inauguration ceremony of spring tree plantation drive at the department of animal products technologies on Thursday. He launched the drive by planting a sapling.

Professor Sheikh said that livestock raisers and healers throughout the world used traditional veterinary techniques to prevent and treat common livestock diseases. The ethno-veterinary remedies, he added, were practical, effective and cheap and reflected centuries of experience and trial and error. Plants used for making such medicines were easily available in the region, he added.

The vice-chancellor said that trees were sign of human life and growing more trees was essential for clean atmosphere and preservation of life on the earth. He further said that ecological balance of the country was under threat due to massive deforestation.

He called upon teachers and students to create awareness about environment among the people and motivate them to plant trees to preserve natural environment and help stop depletion of ozone layer.

Professor Sheikh underscored the need for planting more medicinal plants and advised scientists to embark upon research in ethno-veterinary medicines.

He said that the SAU had collected ample data on comprehensive documentation of medicinal plants of Sindh.

He pointed out that every year, millions of saplings were planted in the country but a non-significant number reached maturity. He urged the students to participate in the spring plantation drive and plant maximum number of saplings of medicinal plants during the season.