HYDERABAD, May 23: The Sindh Abadgar Board has said that no government programme to alleviate poverty will succeed without a pragmatic approach towards the agriculture sector. Speaking at a news conference at the Hyderabad press club on Tuesday, the president of the board, Mr Abdul Majeed Nizamani, presented a review of agricultural economy for the year 2005-06 and pre-budget proposals for the consideration of the federal government.

The board president expressed concern over the acute water shortage in Sindh and said that it was the end of Kharif season but no water was available in 70 per cent watercourses of the province.

He said that even drinking water was not available at many places.

He said that the main reason was that the stipulated quantity of water was not being released for Sindh and gates of Chashma and Taunsa had been tampered.

He said that the work on lining of watercourses should be increased from 20 per cent to 60 per cent and more allocations should be made for lining which would save 13MAF water.

He said that the irrigation system of Sindh should be rehabilitated and funds be released for the purpose on time.

Mr Nizamani said that Sindh was at the tail-end and the entire effluent of the northern areas and Balochistan as well as of cities and industries was being released into the Indus river.

He said that the effluent was extremely detrimental to fertile land, crops, animals and environment.

He said that the practice should be stopped and the entire financial burden of LBOD and RBOD should be transferred to northern areas and Balochistan.

He said that oil was the basic requirement of the agriculture sector but the government was charging 40 per cent more on petrol per litre in addition to Rs5 per litre in the garb of inland freight equalisation margin.

He demanded that this anomaly should be removed.

He said that 30 per cent of fruits were wasted which could be redeemed through the introduction of latest technology, packing, storage and better infrastructure and export.

He said that the agriculture sector had received a great setback due to the supply of substandard seeds.

Mr Nizamani urged the government to direct multinational companies on the pattern of India to set up seed plants in Pakistan.

About infrastructure, he quoted a survey report of the National Highway Authority, according to which there was loss of 1.25 per cent in GDP due to bad roads.

He said that 70 per cent of these roads were located in rural areas.

He said that 98 per cent of export and import trade was done through sea but the PNSC had been abolished.

He said that for the purpose, Pakistan had to pay 2,100 million dollars to foreign shipping lines and the agriculture sector had to bear 83 per cent expenses indirectly.

Mr Nizamani stressed the need for reactivating the railway cargo service for the transportation of agriculture commodities.

He said that the budgetary allocation for agriculture should be increased in accordance with its contribution to the GDP or to Rs240 billion.

He said that support price should be strictly implemented, minimum support price should be fixed for fruits and vegetables, the import of agricultural commodities should be completely banned and in case of dire need, required quantity should be imported in one instalment.

The SAB president suggested that the government itself should perform the role of buyer to build up buffer stock and to stabilize prices.

Mr Nizamani said that livestock and dairy farming had a share of 40 per cent in the agrarian economy and therefore interest free loans should be given for the installation of chilling plants and for transport of milk from rural to urban areas.

He said that only one veterinary doctor was available for 76,000 animals.