HYDERABAD, Nov 12: The government is keen to resolve issues of growers, said Provincial Secretary for Irrigation Shuja Ahmed Junejo in view of 22 per cent water shortage Sindh may face this Rabi season. “Growers are advised to cultivate low delta crop, instead of crops like banana which requires more water,” he said in a meeting of the Sindh Chamber of Agriculture, on Sunday. President of the Chamber Syed Qamaruzzaman Shah presided the meeting.

Ahmed Junejo said water being precious commodity should be conserved. “The Sindh Chief Minister was keen on promoting agriculture sector at all forums,” he said.

He said the Sindh government through close monitoring of water distribution had always identified the mistakes of Irsa. The government too was making efforts to check water theft with the help of Rangers, he added.

Ample water will be released in all canals with judicious distribution up to tail-enders without any rotation programme, said Ahmed Junejo. He warned of firing those irrigation officials found involved in water theft.

Provincial Secretary for Agriculture, Sabhago Khan Jatoi announced the appointment of an Agriculture Facility Board and added meetings will be held with growers of different districts every month to resolve their problems.

He said Rs1.72 billion had been allocated for various schemes out of which Rs1.5 billion will be spent on the purchase of 23 types of agricultural machinery. He said the machinery will be given to growers at 50 per cent subsidy. He said he was fully aware of the problems of growers and promised to meet sugar mill owners to resolve their problems. He said he will recommend to the government to revive market committees. He asked the growers to forward their proposals for the next ADP.

He said the Extension Wing of Agriculture Department was weak and field staff was not performing their duties properly.

Ahmed Jatoi said strict action will be taken against the manufacturers of spurious pesticides and insecticides.

Growers spoke extensively on problems confronting the farming community and demanded assurance to supply of irrigation water to tail-end growers.

They further demanded action against sugar mill owners for violating the Sugarcane Act. They urged the secretaries of irrigation and agriculture to hold regular meetings with growers to know their problems.

Syed Qamaruzzaman Shah said the Punjab government was doing much for the agriculture sector and growers but the Sindh government was laid back. He said despite tall claims, the watercourses in Sindh had not been lined and sugar mills not commencing cane crushing.

President of the Sindh Abadgars Board Abdul Majeed Nizamani said due to inordinate delay in cane crushing wheat could not be cultivated on 5,000 acres of land daily – a regular practice.

Anwar Bachani said delay in crushing and shortage of water had put sugarcane crop under pest attack.

SCA BADIN: The Sindh Chamber of Agriculture, Badin Chapter met under chairmanship of Mohammad Khan Sarejo, on Monday and expressed concern over not receiving agriculture package like other calamity affected districts.

It said the federal government waived loans of influential people to the tune of Rs53 billion while those of poor farmers of even Rs50,000 had not been. These now stand at Rs450,000 due to interest.

It reminded the Prime Minister had directed President, Zarai Taraqiati Bank, Islamabad to exempt growers of Badin from payment of capital up to Rs200,000 and interest up to Rs500,000. However, these directives had not been obeyed.

It appealed to the government to resolve problems of the calamity-hit district and also discuss a proposal to seek remedy from the Sindh High Court.