SWAT: Onion growers in Swat have said the recent heavy rains have significantly damaged their crop, inflicting substantial financial losses on them.

Swat valley is a prominent onion-producing region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accounting for 64 per cent of the province’s production.

Haji Nawab from Ghaligey village said he had a good crop last year, earning him good profits. “However, this year the crop has been severely affected by a disease called ‘Toorkey’. I have suffered Rs1 million losses due to the diseased crop caused by excessive rain,” he told Dawn.

This situation has left farmers deeply concerned about their livelihoods.

A majority of farmers in Swat cultivate onion on leased land, and have to pay a sizeable portion of their incomes to landowners.

Farmer Shahi Nawab claimed he suffered a loss of Rs1.8 million this year due to the crop failure, leaving him unable to even pay the rent for the land.

The farmers said Swati onion was in high demand in the markets across the country. However, the disease has shattered their dream to have a good crop this year.

According to local agriculture department office, onion is as the second most crucial crop in the region after tomatoes.

“Cultivated over 4,450 acres, onion production amounts to 11.6 million kilogrammes in the valley annually, fetching farmers over Rs1.5 billion. Unfortunately, this year the farmers have suffered losses due to the disease outbreak,” said Dr Mohammad Ayaz, director agriculture department, Swat.

APPEAL: The family of a 24-year-old man on Sunday appealed to the provincial police chief to act against the officials for allegedly inflicting violence on him.

“Abdullah was driving his jeep toward Marghuzar valley when policemen stopped him at the Kukarai checkpost for having flashlights on his vehicle.

Abdullah attempted to remove the flashlights from his jeep, but the police started beating, damaging his testicles. Despite serious injuries, he was taken to the police station and tortured there. When he lost consciousness, he was taken to hospital,” Rahim Khan, the victim’s nephew, said.

He said doctors conducted a surgery on him, but also said they might have to perform another surgery to remove his damaged testicles.

Saidu Sharif SHO Rafiullah claimed the victim’s family had forgiven the policemen. However, the family refuted the claim.

District police officer Shafiullah Gandapur said four policemen involved in the incident had been suspended, and an inquiry ordered.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2023