Peoples Accountability Commission on Floods (PACF) a volunteer network of local community activists representing eight flood affected districts along with participation of Karachi and Hydrabad with facilitation of advocacy and research secretariat based at Karachi. This report contains the analysis of Agriculture Rabi Assistance mechanism adapted by Government for Wheat Seeds Distributions in early recovery framework phase in majorly affected districts namely Umerkot, Shaheed Benazirabad, Badin, TM Khan, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar and Tando Allahyar. Currently PACF is going to issue the seventh Civil Society Flood Situation Report (CSFSR) on the issue “Agriculture Input Distribution Situation”. The report contains analysis of field reports generated by our volunteer network (PACF) and secondary data generated by Agriculture Department Government of Sindh, PDMA and Interim Report generated by FAO for affected districts. The PACF has already issued Six reports on very practical themes which have been covered by Print Media with encouraging response.

Objectives of this report:

v To disseminate general information to concerned stakeholders on the issue

v To advocate & sensitize everybody involved in support of the flood affected peoples on the issue

v To analyze the Gaps on Issue

v Future plans of the concerned stakeholders on the issue

v To render pro peoples suggestions and recommendations for stakeholders involved in the activity.

Key Priorities/Highlights

· To provide information on unmet need of Agriculture support.

· Provide an overview of Agriculture Assistance status, needs and gaps in relation to humanitarian support and services delivery mechanism.

· Selection and process Management Scenarios

· To provide the overview on gaps/issues for advocacy purpose.

Data Collection Methods and Tools

Analysis of primary Data:

1. Through Focus Group Discussions

2. Inputs from meetings with Agriculture Department Government of Sindh

3. Inputs from meeting with Director Operations PDMA

4. Media coverage Visit of Fort Camp at Mithi/Tharparkar

5. Consultation Workshop in District Badin

Secondary Source of Data:

1. PDMA Summary of Losses and Damages 31^st December

2. Agriculture department government of Sindh

3. Food Security Cluster update

4. Pakistan rain flood interim report 2011 by FAO& SUPARKO

Seriousness of the Situation

The geographical area of Sindh is 14 million hectares out of which almost 8.0 million hectare is cultivable, and the remaining area is not available for cultivation mostly lying in the northern hills of Khirthar Range, eastern desert of Thar Desert and Achharo Thar and the river an area. As of the rest of Pakistan, the economy of Sindh is predominantly agricultural and depends almost entirely on artificial irrigation. The principal source of water is the Indus River, on which three irrigation Barrages have been built - Guddu on the Punjab border; the Lloyd Barrage in Sukkur and the Kotri barrage at Kotri is the farthest at south. Sindh's principal crops are wheat, rice, cotton, oilseeds, sugarcane, vegetables and fruits. Sheep, cattle, camels, and poultry are raised, and there is a healthy fishing industry as well.

Due to maximum rainfall during the period from 1-July 2011 to 28-September 2011 with the rainfall of 1044 mm in Mithi, 700 mm in Mirpukhas, 623 mm in Badin , 613 mm in Shaheed Benazir abad, 468 mm in umerkot and 419 mm in Dadu. Data shows that the maximum rain occurred in Mithi, Mirpurkahs, Badin and Benazirabad damaging the standing crops 72%, Livestock 36% Food stock 67%.

Within agriculture households 73% of women in rural areas of Sindh are economically active whereas 25% women are full time workers (defined as one who does only agricultural work) and 75% of part-time workers. The major agricultural activities performed by women farmers are related to crop (cotton pickers) and livestock production, postharvest management, and marketing. The damage to herds of livestock is also severe, and sustaining the health of livestock in the current conditions is difficult. Livelihoods have been eroded, and access to markets and services compromised.

Amid significant population movement, destroyed crops, food stocks and other assets, and widespread damage to markets and other infrastructure, the agriculture of affected groups has been critically and abruptly compromised; with both availability and access conditions threatened.

Agriculture Strengths of Sindh

The Economic development of Sindh largely depends on the progress and growth of Agriculture sector. The province of Sindh contributes significantly towards the overall national agriculture production in major crops: 41% in National Rice Production, 31% in National Sugarcane Production, 14.8 % in National Cotton Production, and 21 % in National Wheat Production. (Source Agriculture Department government of Sindh)

Around 80 percent of people in the affected area depend on agriculture — including livestock for a living.

Over View of Losses/ Damages in Agriculture Sector in Sindh

Current Inundation status

· 17% land is inundated and 83% land is receded as of 18^th December 2011 resulting in 14091 Kilometers cultivatable after recession. Umerkot, Badin and Sanghar Districts are relatively suffering more inundation situation. (Source information management unit, FAO ERCU Pakistan).

Rabi seed is being distributed, while the fields have not been dewatered yet

As per feed back by Mr. Idrees Rajput on 28^th December that imaginary assessment of inundation situation is not reliable 100% due to technology constraints and recession trend has been slow due to the submerged irrigation system and artificial resistance by influentials to natural drainages claiming the writ of the government at District level. He said pumping of water takes much time and here in Sindh sufficient water pumping machines were not available with affected Districts government to pump water timely. He said some reports suggest 25% inundation situation.

· LBOD With the capacity of 4000 cusec water to flow suffered 16,000 cusecs water for flow resulting 38 UCs of Badin under water causing death of 10,000 animals.

· Currently UCs Daki jarkas, Tando Bago, Khairpur Gambo, Pungrio wahi,Mithi 3 and khaski, Tarai and fazal rahu are yet partially under water. (source Field visit by PACF)

Agriculture Losses in Sindh

· According to preliminary information from NDMA, 1.6 million acres of crop area have been destroyed by the rain flood and pre-harvest crop losses include rice, vegetables, cotton, and sugarcane. Up to 67% of food stocks and 73% of crops in affected districts have been destroyed or damaged, and more than 36% of livestock have perished or been sold.

· The cotton crop in the affected areas has been mostly damaged. The first picking of cotton was carried prior to rains. The total loss to cotton in affected districts is estimated at 80 percent at about 2.239 million bales. PAKISTAN RAIN/FLOOD 2011 (Interim Report IV) Report on Flash floods, breaches in canals and damage to infrastructure & agriculture sectors in Sind Province (The period under report is from Aug 08 to Sep 28)

· The sugarcane crop has generally escaped damage the rice crop was partially affected. Excessive damages occurred in Badin district /coastal areas where LBOD funneled large quantum of water from upstream areas prior to its ultimate delivery to sea. The rice crop generally escaped damage. However the submerged crop was damaged. About one third of the rice crop in these districts was damaged. The extent of damage is around 0.284 million tons.

· The damage estimate of onion is 356 thousand tons from a crop of 660 thousand tons and tomato 70 thousand tons from a crop of 561 thousand tons.

Crop Damages Situation

Sugarcane, cotton, rice, maize, fodders, vegetables, fruits and spices are generally the major crops of Kharif season. The description of the important Kharif crops is as follows:

Cotton: The farmers were able to carry out one out of five pickings prior to rains around 11th August 2011. This constituted of 20% crop picked. The current loss is estimated 80 percent. The extent of damage is estimated at about 2.239 billion bales.

Chilies Crop: Chilies are mainly sown in Sindh. The chilies are sown both in Kharif and Rabi season in Sindh as winter in this province is generally frost free. The share of provinces in chilies production is Sindh 91.5 percent

Onion: Sindh contributes 33% in onion production at national level. The onion production in Sindh and Baluchistan has picked up greatly because of frost free season at the time of growth and cool temperatures and low relative humidity at the time of harvest and marketing. The onion and tomato availability seasons are alike. The onions from Baluchistan are available during August–October; from Sindh during November- April. (Source Pakistan rain flood interim report 2011 by FAO& SUPARKO)

Figure-1: Crops damages during rain flood 2011

Crops damages during rain flood 2011
S#	District	Cotton	Onion	Rice	Chili
S#	District	KG/ Ha	KG/ Ha	KG/ Ha	KG/ Ha
1	Tando M. Khan	1430	10714	3349	27100
2	Badin	1508	9500	3081	303100
3	Thata	1288	10818	2989	176000
4	Mirpurkhas	1152	11667	2675	56000
5	Tando Allahyar	1376	13871	0	33400
6	Umerkot	1015	11640	0	65100
7	Sanghar	1319	13586	3005	167400
8	S. Banazir Abad	1015	14603	3100	64000
9	Mithi/Tharparkar	1045	9885	0	0
Total		11148	106284	18199	892100

In Sindh, districts have suffered varying impact. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMA) Sindh, Badin, Mirpurkas, Sangar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Tando Allahyar, Tando Mohammad Khan, Tharparker and Umerkot are the most severely affected to date. Dadu, Ghotki, Kambar Shadadkot, and Naushahro Feroze sustained significant impact, while Hyderabad and Thatta sustained moderate impact.

Figure-2: District level damages status

S#	District	Talukas Affected	Ucs Affected	Villages Affected	Total Affected Persons	Crops Area Damaged (Acres)	Livestock Damaged	Persons In Relief Camps
1	T.M Khan	3	16	2,835	585,411	78038	187	0
2	Badin	5	46	6,395	1021301	214940	8014	23310
3	Tharparkar	4	24	2,284	907179	12647	30623	1640
4	Mirpur Khas	6	41	3,178	705151	168182	12280	31676
5	Tando Allahyar	3	19	1,609	569829	81645	197	2067
6	Umar Kot	4	27	3,769	821581	108303	18824	0
7	Sanghar	6	55	5,182	1237432	356473	19040	0
8	S. Banazir Abad	4	51	4,104	900000	290000	22046	1725
Total		35	279	29356	6747884	1310228	111211	60418

The report to cattle head perished is based on report of Livestock Department, Government of Sindh (dated 22-11-2011) and data regarding the crop area damaged is based on report of agriculture department government of Sindh. Report shows the in above mentioned eight districts crops standing on 131, 0228 acres were damaged totally and 111,211 where as 604, 18 peoples are yet in camps.

With regard to the Data collected from the Agriculture department of Sindh 55 thousands metric tons of Wheat seeds have been distributed to the 17 districts. The criterion of the government for the beneficiary is to be the land holder of maximum 25 acres or lesser than 25 acres and where as identification of the beneficiary is made by the DDMC through revenue department.

Government Response

The Rehabilitation department and provincial disaster management authority Government of Sindh is the focal points at provincial level to address the issues/ concerns relating to the flood response 2011. The current consolidated statement on relief goods distribution provided on PDMA website at 26^th December 2011 shows the response of the government under Rabi Assistance plan 2011 of wheat distribution by Agriculture department government of Sindh. Figure stands as under in table about distribution of wheat, Urea and sunflower

Figure-3: Wheat Seed Distribution by Agriculture Department under Rabi Assistance Plan 2011

S#	District	Wheat Seed (Metric Tons)	Urea (Metric Tons)	Sun flower(Metric Tons)
1	T.M Khan	2200	0	8
2	Badin	4500	2337	50
3	Tharparkar	300	0	0
4	Mirpur Khas	4623	1070	18
5	Tando Allahyar	2500	0	0
6	Umar Kot	1716	-	0
7	Sanghar	890	37	0
8	S. Banazir abad	650	0	0
Total		17379	3444	76

The selection of the beneficiary is made by District Revenue Department under DDMC (District Disaster Management Committee). The eligibility criterion of the beneficiary is assessed the district revenue administration having maximum 25 acres and minimum 4 acres in the affected area. Deputy Commissioner is head of DDMA.

As per eligibility criterion of the government beneficiary must prove his khata and satisfy the Tapedar and Mukhtiarkar that he is landowner in the area.

The package for Rabi Assistance to the flood affected by the Government is 50Kg Wheat Seed+ 50Kg Urea per acre. Agriculture Department Government of Sindh has unfolded the fact that Government planned to distribute 55 thousands metric tons Wheat seeds+ 55 Metric tons Urea and 600 metric tons sunflower where as till 30^th December wheat seeds have been completely distributed to districts and Urea partially distributed to the 15 affected districts. Seed for Sunflower is planned to distribute in January.

Above mentioned data was shared by Deputy Secretary Agriculture (Technical look after) Mr. Abdul Aziz Channa in a meeting with Flood Advocacy & Campion Secretariat PACF dated on 30^th December 2011. When requested to share the details at District level as what was the district caseload determined by the respective district administrations and how much district caseload has been met? In response he suggested the availability of the data with PDMA. Consequently Meeting was arranged with Director Operations PDMA Sindh Mr. Ikhlaque Qureshi. He simply remarked such kind of the data is not shared with the PDMA and no case load with regard to Rabi and Zaid Rabi package have not been settled.

It is yet to be known the Rabi and Zaid Rabi targets of the each district settled by Districts administrations besides the prevailing fact the sowing period has almost gone and yet district unmet needs with regard to the agriculture support are complained by the community,

Community Perspective

District Badin suffered badly due to the Breaches in LBOD and extensive rainfall in almost every sector. A consultation workshop on response to the flood affected situation in Badin Awane Sahfat was arranged by PACF to assess the community needs and inputs for advocacy purpose. Mr. Gulam Rasul representing the DDMA and professionals from different NGOs as LHDP, fisher folk, Media Men and Community members participated and underlying observations with regard to Agriculture Inputs distributed by Government.

· District Administration of Badin has prioritized land lords and denied assistance to small growers without knowing whether land is ready for crop or not. Mr. Muhammad Mukhtiar Arian residing in village Lanwari Sahrif having the land of six acres wept out that he had been denied because he had not access to most influential where as he has seen animals of landlords eating the seeds ours land is dry without seed. He said he had repeatedly visited Mukhtiarkar Office but returned back with despair and bearded transport fair to access the services.

· Mr. Ali Muhammad Junejo from UC Abdullah Shah said in a district level consultation that “Agri-inputs are being distributed to Landlord on nepotism and bribery basis knowing that concerned land is not yet ready for crop”. “Yet wheat seeds were not distributed on need basis therefore have been sold in markets” he complained. Just Documentary proof is not sufficient to prove that land is ready for crop, proper Verification of the land and community participation in verification process is missing, this has been added by community participants.

· It was generally complained by all concerned stakeholders that Badin is yet suffering considerable inundation situation due to the stoppage of natural sources of water drain and peoples in spontaneous camps are suffering denial of food assistance and those who have returned to cultivate their lands are without Seeds and shelter in this winter situation. Animal fodder is absent due to the inundation situation and saline water and District Badin is worst affected with loss of more than ten thousands animals. Surviving animals are at risk and disaster post shock is great threat for livestock. It was estimated that 30% land is not cultivable due to either saline water or inundated where as 30% land is cultivable but without seeds.

· During the Visit at Fort Camp at Mithi, Mr. Prem Shwani the flood affected quoted that district administration is hindrance to the relief work in District Tharparkar. He said district administration is politically influenced and did not declare district disaster affected two months ago. He said initially district announced only ten Dehs affected where as 48 dehs are fully affected.

· It has been reported that in District Tando Adam distribution of seeds under Rabi Assistance plan 2011, total 22,000 growers have been distributed in three talukas Tando Muhammad Khan, Bulri shah and Tando Gulam Hyder.

Field Observations/Suggestions:

· It has been observed in the field at Mithi that Agri- Inputs assistance is not being provided to the affected areas of Barage and now they have left camps facing the odd situation. Neither shelter nor Agri-put Assistance is being observed in field by the government effectively.

· District Badin contains the population more than 18 lacks and 90% affected with shelter and Agriculture. But yet some 30% land is ready for crop but government has completed the distribution of Agri-Inputs food assistance to the people.

· It is suggested that proper assessment should be made whether situation is proper to initiate the agriculture support because it has been observed that Agriculture support has been provided in Badin District for the land which is not yet prepared for the Wheat Crop.

· Government requires documentary proof of khata from the beneficiaries for the eligibility and field observations suggest peoples lost documents while displacement.

· The accountability process is not transparent and landlords having 25 acres are prioritized by government and small growers are denied agriculture support. Small growers should be prioritized.

· Selection criterion of the government for Rabi Assistance depends upon the sweet will of the Patwari and Mukhtiarkar and community participation in process is missing.

· First of all it should be verified that concerned land is ready for crop or not so that meaningful access of the service can be made possible. Community participation should be assured so that accountability process can be transparent.

· Distributions by the government are made individually and not public and apprehensions and cases of duplications have been reported by the community. Information sharing would wipe out the possibilities of duplications and at district level

· government should share information with other humanization partners for avoiding duplications.

· Political influence and partial attitude cause discrimination and denial of basic services to the flood affected peoples and district administrations are vulnerable to the political influence with regard to opening the natural outlets of the water and services delivery. Mr. Prem shivani from Mithi has complained that food assistance is politically influenced and district administration sail the food items through their agents.

· Communities suggest getting in pool the NGOs for assistance mechanism and peoples are vulnerable to the corruption practices by district administrations.

· Last but not the least District Revenue Departments are supposed to have the record of the cultivable land in concerned districts and yet no case load at District level with regard to Agriculture support at area or growers level has been settled or provided for the effective response purpose. NDMA chairman claims that 90% support in agriculture has been made by Government and agriculture department of the Sindh, that claims the distribution of the 55 thousands metric tons to the affected districts but on ground such information is not confirmed.

· It is suggested to Government, Humanitarian partners, Food Security Clusters to provide the data on PDMA or DDMAs websites regarding the target, achievements, selection process, Unmet needs and accountability process at District level for meaningful and effective services delivery.

7th CSFSR