Growers urge crop insurance, reforms

KARACHI:

Producers have called for crop insurance, results-oriented initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change and clearly defined import and export policies, among other measures aimed at encouraging small farmers, as they present proposals for the 2024-25 federal budget. Representing various cultivator bodies, cultivators and progressive farmers who delivered these budget proposals included Sindh Chamber of Agriculture (SCA) Senior Vice President Nabi Bux Sathio, Sindh Council of Farmers Organizations President Jawaid Junejo and others.

They called on the government to announce crop insurance so that poor farmers can insure their permanent crops against any damage arising from climate change events such as mammoth floods, torrential rains, rain, severe water shortages, droughts and other natural calamities. Building a strong flood water disposal network can mitigate farmers’ losses. The adoption of new agricultural technologies can ensure and enhance food security, as the increasing mechanization of agricultural work is mandatory and necessary in this era.

To promote the most demanding organic crops around the world, the government should create a mechanism to offer attractive incentives to growers who intend to switch to these types of crops, which are usually produced later and in smaller quantities. There is a significant difference between organic and inorganic crops and the government should set prices properly to reflect this distinction. Moreover, out of more than 80 market committees in Sindh, only a couple are currently functional while the rest are dysfunctional. All these committees should be functioning immediately across the country, they said.

Commercial banks must announce farmers’ loans for agricultural machinery at nominal mark-up with a view to promoting value addition of mangoes, dates and other fruits for processing, packaging and shelf life enhancement. Building road infrastructure can help growers reduce excessive transport costs, especially after the implementation of the Axle Load Regime (ALR).

A clear export and import policy should be formulated, they urged, adding that growers should be informed early so that they avoid growing crops that are already abundant in government supplies. Currently, wheat growers have suffered huge losses due to the incompetence of both the federal and provincial governments. Substandard seeds of both major and minor crops as well as fertilizers should be banned from local markets and action should be taken against the executives of both public and private organizations involved in such practices. Only certified seeds should be available on the markets.

In the livestock sector, farmers suggested that through artificial insemination, new breeds of cows, goats, sheep and other animals can be introduced to meet the growing demands for milk and organic meat within and outside the country. Appropriate vaccination campaigns should be carried out for animals in each area to limit any viruses and general diseases.

Meanwhile, farmers cannot afford new taxes as they already pay many taxes, including income tax, abiyana (water charges) and agricultural tax depending on crop rates. Thus, these proposals aim to support and uplift the agricultural sector, ensuring sustainability and growth for the future.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^u2024.

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