The Sindh government, keeping in view the likely shortage of water this year, has started planning to offer more facilities to the farmers providing them adequate water and other agricultural inputs. In this regard, a scheme has been envisaged to provide subsidy on electricity tariff and on tubewells operating in the private sector throughout the province. Chairing a meeting on Wednesday, Sindh Chief Secretary Mohammed Aslam Sanjrani has reviewed plans to evolve strategy for combating likely shortage of water during the coming cotton crop season.
The meeting pointed out that economic development of Sindh largely depended on progress and growth of agriculture sector, and about 68 percent of the population, living in rural areas of the province, was directly or indirectly linked with agriculture for their livelihood.
It was noted that Sindh contributed significantly towards national agriculture production in all major crops, however, drought conditions as shortage of water in past years have caused considerable damage to various crops from time to time.
The Sindh government attached great importance to the agriculture sector and had been taking various projects to enhance agriculture productivity and poverty alleviation, the meeting was informed.
During meeting, a consensus was reached that a scheme may immediately be prepared, recommending subsidy on electricity tariff for agriculture, tubewells in the private sector, which will be equally shared by the Federal government, Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and provincial government. It was also decided that the proposed subsidy should be allowed during peak sowing season of cotton in the months of March, April and May.
The meeting decided the Irrigation Department should nominate an Engineer as focal person in each district, who would collect data of all tubewells in the districts. Such information shall be called through print media within given limited time and finally compiled by the Irrigation Department.
Subsequently, the federal government will be requested for 50 percent subsidy on electricity tariff, on agriculture tubewells to the Sindh growers. The meeting believed the arrangement should contribute a lot in judicious use of water, which will ultimately enhance cotton productivity in the province.
Among others the meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Dev).
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