Sindh has witnessed a slump of at least 11 and 23 percent respectively in the cultivation of cotton and rice crops due to an acute shortage of irrigation water during the Kharif season of 2010-11. This was noted with concern by a high level meeting held at Chief Minister House on Thursday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister (CM) Qaim Ali Shah.
The meeting reviewed the progress of development schemes initiated in agriculture, power and irrigation sectors under President Zardari's directives. In the meeting, Secretary Agriculture Agha Jan Akhtar said that during the current Kharif season an acute shortage of irrigation water had adversely affected the sowing of cotton and rice seeds in the province. According to Akhtar, the cultivation of cotton and rice had decreased by at least 11 percent and 23 percent respectively as compared to the last corresponding period.
Reviewing various steps taken recently by the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) and its adverse impact on the province, the utilisation of modern irrigation systems like drip and sprinkle ( systems in which minimum water is used for maximum agricultural output) also came under discussion in the meeting. Provincial secretaries for agriculture and irrigation also tabled separate proposals for constructing water storage in the province.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Sindh Minister for Power and Irrigation Murad Ali Shah, Advisor to CM on Development Dr Kaiser Bengali, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Aurangzeb Haq, Secretary Agriculture Agha Jan Akhtar, Secretary Irrigation and Power Shuja Junejo, Secretary Finance Fazlullah Pechoho and Principle Secretary to CM Suhail Akbar Shah.