FAO report: Almost 45% of Sindh crop land under water

The FAO states that the situation in Sindh remains a matter of grave concern as over 700,000 families still need help.

ISLAMABAD: Nearly 45 per cent of all agricultural land in Sindh is still under water as a result of the floods in 2010 and over 700,000 families still need assistance, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.

The FAO states that the situation in Sindh remains a matter of grave concern, with a sustained aid effort required to rehabilitate the people of the province. People, as well as livestock, are in a desperate condition of suffering, with malnutrition on the rise in the province.

“The people are drinking the same water the animals are swimming in,” said FAO official Aly Khan. “The situation is dreadful in Sindh, natural breeding of livestock should be adopted and animals should be multiplied accordingly.”

According to the FAO, the next 12 to 18 months could be crucial for Pakistan. The food security situation could potentially turn disastrous if planting targets are not met. The agency has stated that it is required for Pakistan to meet two planting seasons – Kharif and Rabi on time before the sector normalizes.

“The international community stepped up during the emergency phase but this is the time when we need their support the most,” said Khan. Although the FAO received almost 90 per cent of the funds that they had requested, a substantial need for more remains.

The aim to meet Kharif season was achieved on time and rains benefited the crops that were sown on time. However, the agency fears that the risk of floods still exists, especially if the monsoon is worse than last year.

“We need to be well prepared for disaster,” said the official. “The international community needs to support and understand Pakistan’s needs.”

The FAO hopes to discuss the issues and needs of the agriculture industry in the upcoming conference in Rome sometime early next month. The agriculture agency has expressed concern over the sectors which have not been funded at all.

“Fisheries and forestry remains zero funded and we are worried. The sector has been damaged and it is neglected when it comes to funding,” said FAO official Aly Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2011.