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Mr. Punhal Khoso, a 50 years old man of village Ali Muhammad Khoso district Badin, has first time grown Guava on his land to curtail impacts of water shortages. Water scarcity has become phenomenon in the area, the district is itself disaster prone, though. His village is locatedin tail end area in Taluka Talhar, where ‘Sultani Wah’ canal irrigates the fields. Earlier this irrigation distributary was famous with the name of ‘Moolchand Wah’ around 4 decades ago.
Before the project intervention, he used to cultivate some fodder grasses, legumes and rice crops on his land, but due to water scarcity since couple of years, he left his land uncultivated. Punhal has only a land of 2.5 acres, two buffalos and three goats. It is the only asset he has. According to Punhal, climate change has further aggravated the farming in the area.
“We are left with a few options to grow fodder and some vegetables”, says Punhal.
“For last three years, there have been acute water shortages in our area, and we are uncertain of getting required water in future too”, he added. Amid this uncertainty of water and heat stresses, they have found efficient irrigation, and improved soil and crop management techniques and practices.
“ Thanks to ACF and LHDP, who educated us of practicing agriculture innovatively. Previously, we never knew about growing guava in this area”.
— Punhal
while thanking ACF and LHDP. Accustomed with conventional agricultural e practices, Punhal and one of his neighbours were found happiest to have lush green trees of guava in their fields, which they have grown with the technical assistance of SKALA project of ACF and LHDP.
The SKALA project directly supports around 10,000 poverty and drought stricken households in three Tehsils of district Badin. Promoting resilient agriculture practices in the area is one of the project strategies to enable farmers withstand water scarcity and earn the dignified livelihoods. The project is in progress since 2019. Punhal was provided with healthy tree saplings of ‘China Golo’ variety of guava by the SKALA project together with training in crop management.
