HYDERABAD, May 25: The Sindh Chamber of Agriculture has cautioned that cultivation of Kharif crops will be seriously affected if Sindh is not given its due share in water.

At a meeting held here on Friday with Dr Syed Nadeem Qamar in the chair, growers expressed grave concern over nagging water shortage in Sindh and demanded the government should ensure distribution of water under the Water Accord 1991.

They said the shortage had attained alarming proportions in Tando Mohammad Khan, Sheikh Bhirkio, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas and adjoining areas.

They pointed out that slow pace of work on LBOD repair which had been damaged in last year’s rains might lead to another disaster as the monsoon season had almost arrived.

They emphasised the need for completing the work as soon as possible in view of flood warnings. Adulteration in fertiliser, seed and pesticides was causing huge losses to growers and the government, therefore, should take action against the elements involved in it, they said.

USAID regional programme manager Nazeer Ahmed Essani also attended the meeting and briefed growers about improvements in agriculture sector sponsored by his organisation.

He assured growers of full cooperation on behalf of the USAID and said that training programmes would be held for growers in different areas to help strengthen agrarian economy.