A Convention of farmers' organizations was convened by SIDA in collaboration with Nara Canal Area Water Board on 3 rd September 2007 at Mirpurkhas. The convention was presided over by Mr. Mohammad Hashim Leghari, Managing Director SIDA. Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Speaker Sindh Assembly was the chief guest.While speaking in the
convention, Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah praised the progress of SIDA.
He suggested closure of supply of irrigation water to the farmers who failed to clear their water abiana.Mr. Shah said officials and growers should prepare recommendations for redressing the growers grievances, so that amendments could be made in SWMO-2002.He stressed that the chairmen of farmers organizations should be authorized to maintain water gauges and discharges and lodge FIR against water thieves without involving irrigation officials. There were, however, complaints that watercourse of the chairmen of farmer organization had been found tempered with, he added.He said that a bill for amendment to the old Tenancy Act would be presented by a committee in the next Sindh Assembly session, which would define the responsibilities of peasants and
landlords.Mr. Shah said as a matter of principle that the tail-end growers had more rights over irrigation water. He said that the chairmen of farmer organizations should be tail-end growers. Water was a source of life henceforth, there should be no politics over its supply, he urged
The Managing Director SIDA, Mohammad Hashim Leghari, said that farmers' organizations were playing a positive and desired role in the distribution of water in a judicious and equitable manner, which will help eliminate poverty in future.
He said that a growers convention would be organized in each division of the province to listen and to solve their problems. The work on de-silting of LBOD main drain, sub drains and spinal drain had been carried out at a cost of Rs.110 million, he added.He said SIDA was operating the system successfully with the cooperation of farmers and farmer organizations were working effectively in the province.Prof. Aijaz Ahmed Qureshi, General Manager Transition SIDA, said, though he was feeling that there was some restlessness among farmers, yet this was the sign that they were going ahead democratically and farmers had right to raise their voice without any pressure. He hoped that soon they shall resolve all the ups and down in dealing with farmers and FOs. He further said that FOs are now standing on their own feet. He urged FOs to collect their abiana and try to distribute water judicially.Mr. Nazir Ahmed Memon, Social Development Specialist SIDA, said, “We believe in user's management,
we want to ensure more participation of farmers in this new system which is running successfully among many developed and developing countries. He said it has never happened any where in the world those people/farmers have been given contracts to improve and rehabilitate the irrigation system. We have made it possible, for we know unless farmers are given right to better themselves and unless they urge to change themselves, our efforts will remain frozen, we shall not achieve our goals, that are the goals of prosperity and self sufficiency of our homeland.The Nazim of union council Jhillori, Yar Mohammad Baloch demanded that the authorities should immediately remove 265 illegal pumping machines installed on the bank of Nara Canal in Khairpur.
Earlier, chairman of Nara Canal area water board, Khair Mohammad Bhurgri, FOC Chairman Javed Junejo, Ghulam Mustafa Ujjan Team Leader SIDA farmers and others addressed the convention.Farmers also made speeches and brought out their problems in front SIDA officials. They demanded full cooperation of SIDA. Those who spoke included, Mr. Zahid Bhurgri Mr. Mahi Khan, Mr. Ayub wassan, Shakeela Leghari and others
