Insaf Food Security: Farmers unclear on seed distribution mechanism

Lack of protocol awareness creates friction between officials, recipients

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s wheat needs have been a problem in recent years – a problem which some saw diminishing with recent initiatives. However even as the distribution of wheat seeds under Insaf Food Security Programme (IFSP) will be completed in a few days, farmers from various parts of the province remain confused. Their complaints revolve around distribution as well as nepotism.

The K-P government initiated a three-year scheme to distribute wheat seeds among famers to make the province self-sufficient in this staple cereal crop. K-P has been dependent on Punjab for its wheat requirement for decades.

“The government allocated Rs3.9 billion for the project,” said Agriculture Extension Director General Qayash Bahadur. He added they were providing 50 kilogrammes of seed to farmers who own one to three acres of land. Last year K-P produced wheat at 14 maunds per acre but the target has increased to 20 maunds per acre for 2015, said Bahadur. The DG claims success in IFSP will increase total wheat production for K-P by 20 to 25%.

Bahadur explained K-P only produces 33% of the required wheat. “K-P spends a large portion of funds on procurement of wheat from other provinces,” said Bahadur. The food security project could help the province meet its requirements, he added.

“All farmers who submitted forms with verification from peasant councillors and patwaris from their respective areas have been provided seeds.” According to Bahadur, the government allocated wheat seeds for districts in accordance with demands from the respective agriculture departments.

View from the other side

Farmers, however, had a very different tale to share on the matter. Amjad Yousafzai, a member of the local government and a farmer from Chakdara in Lower Dir, said he and a large number of farmers submitted forms, but the supply of seeds was significantly lower than the requirement.

Yousafzai also mentioned nazims and naib nazims have a personal quota in the scheme, which they will distribute only to their “favourite people”.

Naubat Khan, another farmer from Dag Behsud in Nowshera, said they were only allowed 50 killogrammes of seeds from a distribution centre set up at a great distance. “We cannot travel so far to collect only one bag of seeds,” said Naubat. Zaristan Khan, a farmer from Pasani in Peshawar, said he was unaware of the local government’s influence.

Another farmer from Nowshera said they were unsure about the quality of seeds. “The seeds are
free of cost, therefore no compensation can be claimed if the crop fails,” he added.

Less awareness

Kashtkar Coordination Council General Secretary Liaquat Ali Yousafzai appreciated the efforts of the project regardless of its small scale. “The government had stated it will provide DAP fertilizer with the seeds, but it has now been omitted from the package,” said Liaquat Ali. “Most farmers can benefit from the programme to some extent.”

He said with less awareness about the procedures of the IFSP, a lot of misconceptions were seen among the LG members and farmers.



However, local government members from his area were unhappy with Liaquat’s involvement with the seed programme. They argued the responsibility was with the peasant councillor, who they say was helping “his own people”. Power to some extent rests with peasant councillors to attest farmers.

Moving forward

Muhammad Ali, an LG councillor in Kheshgi Bala, Nowshera, was reported as saying patwaris and other officials have exploited farmers by charging money to submit forms on obtaining seeds. A large number of people were seen beating each other at distribution points, resulting in enmity among many locals. Liaquat Ali said the process had become political and favouritism was seen at every level. He also added, “The government should create awareness on the matter, otherwise the project will fall apart.”

The director general for Agriculture Extension confirmed peasant farmers are required to only verify farmer registration for the scheme. Bahadur added LG members facilitate agriculture department, however, they cannot distribute seeds according to their wishes. He also said administration officials were forming committees to inspect distribution in the future.

Agriculture department teams will guide farmers on agronomic practices. Bahadur added they have distributed seeds that are re-cultivable for three years and explained the types of seeds given were determined according to texture of soil in the area.

The DG added they will entertain applications submitted after the closing date for the next round. He mentioned after a threshing season, the food department will procure 50% of the wheat from farmers at set prices determined by the government.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2015.