Farmers say current fiscal worst in decades

HYDERABAD:

The Sindh Abadgar Board, a farmers' lobbying group, has evaluated the ongoing fiscal 2024-25 to be the worst performing year for the agriculture sector in over two decades. A board's meeting in Hyderabad on Sunday, presided by Mahmood Nawaz Shah, pointed out the reasons behind the sector's slump and suggested remedial measures as well.

The growers noted that on one hand climate change rendered harmful effects on the sector while on the other hand substandard fertilizer, seeds and pesticides as well as a substantial decline in the crops' prices adversely affected agriculture. Higher temperatures; torrential downpours and repeated cycles of drought, also entailing complex and severe pest and disease attacks have emerged as manifestations of global warming, farmers said.

Farmers expressed concern over rising cultivation costs due to increased water usage and crop protection needs, while yields continue to decline. They reported significant drops in the production of key crops such as cotton, wheat, rice, and vegetables, criticizing the government for its inaction.

They argued that while commodity prices have fallen, it has come at the cost of farmers' incomes, which are vital to sustaining the sector. They stressed that the decline in crop rates should have been matched by reduced input costs, which did not happen.

The farmers condemned the lack of government support, citing insufficient access to agricultural credit, the unchecked sale of adulterated pesticides and low-quality seeds, and weak extension services.