SANGHAR, Oct 28: Over-supply has depressed the prices of onions and tomatoes after local farmers switched crops because of acute shortage of water, growers said.

They said that farmers had switched over to these crops after experiencing acute water shortage in March-April because of which they were unable to sow cotton.

Farmers said that the irrigation water resumed in June-July, by which time the cotton growing season was over.

The growers said that the prevailing price is not even covering the cost of production.

They said that a crate of tomatoes, weighing between 15kg and 20kg, is fetching between Rs20 and Rs30, adding that only the cost of new crates was over Rs16.

The landed cost of a tomato crate came to over Rs32 after adding the cost of picking, packing, and freight charges.

Similarly, the prices of onions and chilies suffered because of the same reasons.

They said that a truck load of 120 bags, each weighing between 110 and 120kg, was getting between Rs35,000 to Rs40,000.

About 50 days ago, the same truck load was being sold at over Rs15,000.

So far as the cost of chilies are concerned, they, too, suffer the same fate because of a production glut and lack of buyers.

DROWNED: Nawaz Ali, 18, drowned in Nara Canal late Sunday night near Khipro.

The dead body of the boy was recovered by local villagers.

SECRETARY: The Sindh irrigation secretary, Mohammad Hashim Leghari, warned irrigation officials from demanding bribes for releasing water in the canals or for providing water to influential people during the rotation period. Besides, he strictly ordered them not to tamper with the water modules.

He said this in an open kutchery held at the irrigation rest house on Monday.

He said that the water shortage for irrigating Rabi crops for the year 2002-2003 was estimated to be 34 per cent, while it had been 60 per cent last year.