KARACHI: The water scarcity has created an emergent crisis as major Kharif crops like rice, maize, cotton and sugarcane are set to feel the pinch during ongoing season.
The ongoing water scarcity has severely impacted cotton sowing in rural Punjab and Sindh reported Dawn.
Cotton crop sewing was started as per usual in lower areas of Sindh like Shahdadpur, Tando Alam but no water was received due to immense scarcity.
Ex-Chairman Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) Dr Jassumal Neemani shared barely 25 percent of cotton sowing had been done in lower Sindh and 75 percent remains outstanding due to farmers waiting for irrigation water.
Mr Neemani expressed worries cotton from Sindh fields reaches mills from June 15th but because of delays in its sowing, it may not be available before July 15th.
According to a farmer from Badin, water shortage has created a politically charged situation over its allocation between the perennial and six-month canals, severely affecting lands which receive water from canals which do not nourish lands of influential people having connections in the provincial government.
Also, tussles have been reported among people who come to filter plants to fetch drinking water in Khoski and Shadi Large situated in Southern Badin.
Punjab like Sindh is facing a dire shortage of irrigation water as the stake of all Kharif crops is under threat in both provinces.
