Agriculture is not a money-spinning business in Sindh.

Interview with Mr Nadeem Shah - a progressive farmer

PAGE: Tell me something about yourself and your contribution for the betterment of the agriculture sector, please:

Nadeem Shah: I got involved in agriculture at the age of 17, way back in 1975 simultaneously continuing my education. I did my B. Sc (honors), DBS and MBA. My social activities comprise being Joint Chief CPLC Hyderabad, Member PCCC, Member Provincial Seed Council, Member Sindh Seed Corporation, Member Academic Council Agriculture University Tando Jam, Vice President National Reformers'Forum and Vice President Sindh Abadgar Board. I educate farmers every week without any hiatus and ensure monthly meetings to impart my knowledge to them for better production. I have arranged a number of exposure visits for farmers regarding different crops. I am very much into drip irrigation, biological control and organic farming. I am interviewed regularly for print and electronic media regarding agricultural activities and I have 114000 members on Abadgar Board's Facebook group.

PAGE: Could you give your views about the current state of the agriculture in Sindh?

Nadeem Shah: Agriculture is no more a profitable business. Federal and provincial governments are good for nothing when it comes to underpinning the growth of this significant sector. Cotton production is rather abysmal this year with 50% less production, which must be the cause of concern since it is primary input for the textile sector of our country. Drainage system has collapsed due to no maintenance. Vegetable seeds are 95% imported and the drawback is that all imports are done at the time of harvesting of our crops, thus depriving local farmers of benefit, rather facilitate the foreign farmers. RandD is dormant, which must be taken on war footing since it helps in new varieties and spike in yield. Technology is not being transferred at grass root level. In case of bumper crop, farmer does get benefit in terms of export opportunity etc. resulting the excess crop to be dumped as garbage. There is no value addition system even after drawing the attention of the concerned authorities at numerous occasions.

PAGE: What is...