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Water discharge into canals: Sindh agriculturists warn govt

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Sindh agriculturists have warned the government of adverse impact on the standing crops due to obsolete basis of water discharge into the canals.

The Agriculture Committee of The Reformers, which held a meeting here on Saturday, observed that on account of the fall in release of water into the canals, the benefit of desilting had not materialised. On the other hand, the fixing of water-course discharge modules to specification of 1932, when crop intensities were 27 to 54 percent, had curtailed discharge into the field for the crop consumption. That will adversely impact the standing crops, specially the wheat crop, The Reformers said.

The committee has demanded that an immediate and adequate release of water to the canals of the three beverages, including Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri. It further demanded that discharge modules should be re-assessed, based on the current crop intensities in line with government's own objectives of increasing the wheat production.

The committee, however, appreciated the recent successful desilting campaign which was an example of the government and growers cooperation. It will result in enhancement of irrigation supplies in canals to ensure availability of water to tail-ends, the committee observed.