SUKKUR: Cotton growers of Sukkur division flayed sale of counterfeit pesticide and other agri product and pesticides parts of Sukkur division. In this connection they brought out rallies in Salehpat, Ahmedpur, Chondko, Gambat and other towns of the division. Yar Ahmed Jumani, a grower of Kandhra condemning poor performance of Agriculture Extension Programme said it has totally failed in sale of counterfeit pesticide and substandard fertilizer in cities. Haji Shazad Chijan said poor farmers of Sindh have already been facing agri related problems including high cost of inputs and low yield per acre. The concerned agri departments should come up with effective monitoring and conduct raids against business of second-rated seeds and counterfeit pesticides to save growers from losses, said Haji Shahzado Chijan, President Sindh Chamber of Agriculture Sukkur chapter. He alleged agriculture department was involved in this practice with the sellers of fake pesticides in towns of Sindh thus causing financial and crop loss to poor growers of division over an estimated Rs 100 million a year. Hafiz Haleem, Chairman Sindh Abadgar Ittehad observed that millions of rupees were being spent on these department but they have been proved futile as on ground no work has been done in the interest of farmers. Growers unanimously demanded of the government for taking an instant and action against involved persons. Published in Daily Times, August 13th 2017.