IWT violations threaten South Punjab crops

India's continued violations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) are emerging as a serious threat not only to South Punjab's agriculture but also to the livelihoods of millions of farm labourers, particularly women, whose economic survival is closely tied to seasonal agricultural work.

South Punjab produces a major share of the country's cotton, wheat, sugarcane, and vegetables. The region's fertile land and canal-based irrigation system sustain millions of people.

However, disruption of water availability, especially due to India's interference, can have devastating consequences for the entire agricultural chain.

At the centre of this system are agricultural labourers, a large proportion of whom are women. These women are not only manual workers but they also possess years of experience and expertise in delicate and labour-intensive farm activities. From cotton picking to vegetable harvesting, fodder cutting to crop maintenance, their role is both specialised and indispensable.

An agricultural expert warned thatif water disruption persists due to violations of the Indus Waters Treaty, crop production would decline sharply. This, in turn, will reduce the demand for farm labour, rendering million of workers unemployed.

A local farmer, Ameer Hamza, emphasised the gravity of the situation. "Water shortages mean fewer crops, and fewer crops mean no work for labourers.

Women, who are highly skilled in tasks like cotton picking, will be the first to lose their livelihood," he said.

Muhammad Ashnaaq Wattoo highlighted that women labourers were the backbone of agricultural productivity. "These women are trained through years of experience. If farmland activities slow down due to lack of water, their skills will go unused, and they will have no alternative employment," he maintained.

Khalid Chaudhry pointed out that the informal nature of women's work makes them even more vulnerable. "Most female labourers are paid on a daily or seasonal basis. If there is no sowing or harvesting, they simply have no income. This directly affects their families' survival," he said.

The economic impact is far-reaching. For many rural households, women's earnings are a crucial component of daily sustenance.

Their income contributes to food, education, and healthcare expenses also. If these women are pushed out of agricultural work due to declining water availability, entire families could face financial collapse.

Irshad Bibi, a farm worker, shared her concerns. "We are skilled in farm work only. This is what we know.

If there is no water and no crops, there will be no work for us. Our children will suffer the most because we depend on this income," she said.

They all also cautioned that such a scenario could lead to widespread unemployment among rural women, increased poverty levels, and social instability.