SUKKUR: The date growers of Sukkur have expressed their apprehension for quality of fruit as cloudy weather with high humidity weather during July-August monsoon season has affecting the crop. They said that quality and production would also be likely lower and thus cast an impact on exports as well. More than 50,000 growers would face financial and crop losses. Hafiz Abdul Haleem, Chairman Sindh Abadgar Ittehad said perfect temperature for ripening of date crop stands between 45 degrees celsius to 50 degrees celsius. But in most parts of Sukkur and Khaipur district, mercury went down due to cloudy and rainy season and temperature has been below 35 degrees celsius with increased humidity. Due to rains and weather conditions, dates have also started falling down unripe in major quantities even upto 60 percent of the total crop. Similarly, disparity in temperature and humidity in the atmosphere was causing ripening disorders. Haji Badardin Phulpoto, progressive date grower said that for the interest of growers, government should act positively and streamline a price mechanism of the fruit in domestic as well as in international market. Several date growers also complained of dipping of prices of the fruit and ‘chohara’ in the domestic market and termed the monopoly of traders of different markets in Sukkur and Khairpur as detrimental. Haji Shehzado Chijan, President Sindh Chamber of Agriculture Sukkur chapter was of the view that the ongoing monsoon season has been a peril forthe crop. He claimed the crop has suffered damage by 55 percent and there was a need to develop post harvest technology with emphasis on tunnel as well as solar cum gas fired drying system in the crop area that could save growers from further financial losses. He called for the establishment of export processing zone in date growing areas and demanded of Sindh government to provide relief in form of waiving water rate and other taxes. Published in Daily Times, August 4th 2017.