Sindh farmers’ association reports shortage of irrigation water
The Sindh Abadgar Ittehad (SAI), an association of farmers in Sindh province, said that agricultural producers are not receiving irrigation water despite sufficient flow in the river. At a meeting in Hyderabad chaired by Nawab Zubair Talpur, the organization linked the problem to inadequate water resource management.
As Dawn reports, SAI representatives also accused IRSA of violating the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord. According to the association, this leaves farmers without the necessary water during the sowing period.
Demands over water distribution
Meeting participants called on Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro to ensure fair distribution of irrigation water. SAI claims that upstream Punjab uses water allocated to Sindh, causing local producers to face persistent shortages.
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These claims represent the position of Sindh Abadgar Ittehad. The Dawn report does not include a response from IRSA, the Punjab authorities, or the Sindh irrigation minister to the allegations.
Farmers’ prices and costs
The association also reported pressure on farmers from mill owners during the harvest. According to SAI, rice has already been harvested in some areas, but producers cannot obtain a fair price for their products because of the monopolistic position of rice mills.
Farmers proposed setting a support price for wheat at 5,000 Pakistani rupees per 40 kilograms. They also demanded that the price for the upcoming sugarcane season be set at 600 rupees per 40 kilograms and that for rice at 4,000 rupees per 40 kilograms. Meeting participants said that rising diesel fuel prices had dealt a significant blow to agricultural producers and condemned what they called a conspiracy to divide Sindh.
