Sindh irrigation department has advised the growers to desist from sowing rice crop in areas declared prohibited by Board of Revenue and that come under the command of three perennial Ghotki feeder, Rohri and Nara canals.
A department spokesman referred to a high level meeting held recently under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary and also attended by senior officers of irrigation, revenue, police department and agriculture departments who viewed the serious notice taken by President regarding paddy cultivation during Kharif-2008 in the declared prohibited in province.
Meeting realised the importance to inform the growers and discourage them from sowing rice. For this purpose it was decided to launch a media campaign whereby the growers will be educated about the disadvantages of growing paddy crop and also inform them about imposition of heavy penalty besides closing down of outlet under section 28 (D) of Sindh irrigation Act 1879, imposition of Abiana at Rs 5000 per acre on matured paddy crop, besides destroying of the crop as well.
The Chief Minister had pointed out that these measures were aimed at saving the cash crop in these areas from twin menace of water logging and salinity which could badly damage the land and reduce yields of cash crop.
The spokesman said the decision has been taken under Chief Ministers orders to avert water logging and salinity menace in the command areas that comprise orchards and where cotton and other valuable crops. This action, the spokesman added, will benefit farmers in achieving good yield of their cash crops and bring economic prosperity to them besides helping the country in earning foreign exchange.
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