The hybrid seed has devastated the Kunri chili market, once known as Asia’s largest market – Mian Muhammad Saleem, a progressive grower, and president of Chili Growers’ Association
Sindh meets more than eighty percent of country’s chili demand. The chili produced here are very much liked the world over – Dr. Fateh Marri, Vice Chancellor SAU
From Our Correspondent
Tando Jam
Like the production of cotton and other crops, the per acre yield and quality of chili is also on the decline in Sindh mainly owing to climate change, water shortage, hybrid seeds and various diseases, as the provincial agriculture department seems in deep slumber.
This transpired at a national symposium on the diseases that have infected the chili crop in the province. The symposium was held at Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tando Jam on Monday.
The agriculture experts said that the chili crop in Sindh is under the attack of 46 different diseases and the quality and quantity of chili produced here is fast declining due to water shortage and diseases.
Chili crop in Badin district is worst affected by the diseases.
It is pertinent to mention that the chili crop is cultivated in different districts of Sindh however Kunri in Umerkot district is the largest chili growing area of Sindh and is said to be the Asia’s largest chili market.
“Sindh meets more than eighty percent of country’s demand of chili while the chili produced here are very much liked the world over,” Dr. Fateh Marri, Vice Chancellor of SAU, who presided over the event, said in his address.
He told that it was Kunri chili market which introduced online trade of chili in the country.
VC said that besides decline in per acre yield, the climate change, drought-like situation and the substandard seeds have also left adverse effects on the quality of chili.
According to him, despite a certain setback, there exists a great potential for the export of chili.
The experts from various organizations presented their papers on climate change effects, water shortage etc. and suggested ways and means to control the diseases that are harming the chili crop.
Mian Muhammad Saleem, a progressive grower, and president of Chili Growers’ Association, revealed that the hybrid seed has devastated the Kunri chili market, once known as Asia’s largest market. “The hybrid seed has also damaged the local variety of chili called ‘longi’.”
Mian Saleem urged the seed producing and pesticide companies to affix a code on their products so that they could be identified with regard to their quality. He also suggested formation of Chili Development Board for resolving the issues.
Dr. Manzoor Ali Abro, Dean, Faculty of Crop Protection, told in his address that currently the chili crop in Sindh was under the attack of 46 different diseases.
Prof. Abdul Mubeen Lodhi apprehended the decline in chili cultivation area, per acre yield and the quality of the produce.
Prof. Tariq Mukhtar of Pir Mahar Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, said that since the farmers were not aware of diseases in Chili crop, it was the responsibility of experts to tackle the issue.
The experts and other stakeholders agreed to constitute a forum of national experts and growers to jointly work for conducting research on new varieties of chili and finding ways to protect the crop from diseases.
Dr. Imran, Dr. Saleem Aijaz, Dr. Sabuhi Raza of Karachi University, Dr. Abdullah Ahmed, Dr. Muhammad Imran, Dr. Qamar-u-ddin Chachar, Dr. Aijaz Khoonharo, Dr. Syed Ghayasuddin, Dr. Altaf Siyal, Dr. Abdullah Arijo, Dr. Ismail Kunbhar and others were present.
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