Conference: ‘Farmers have a stake in water management’

“Water theft starts when it is time for cultivation. It is often tail-enders who struggle to cope with shortage,” said Faiz Karim and Ghulam Mustafa, representatives of farmers at a conference organised by the Indus Water Consortium and Oxfam on Thursday. They were discussing the impact of diminishing water sources on small farmers. Farmers said current legislation on water distribution and access did not cover the issue. Karim said water shortages could destroy crops. “Then, we have no income to support our families.” Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority Senior General Manager Nazeer Memon said it was imperative that farmer’s concerns were taken into account over water management. “They are stakeholders in these decisions and cannot be ignored,” he said.