Though Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has claimed providing nearly 10,000 tractors to farmers at subsidised rates, the truth is that the poverty-stricken growers have never shown any interest in availing the so-called opportunity. Sources said that the lengthy process of acquiring new tractors; financial constraints; expensive urea fertilisers, electricity and diesel; low crop production; and water shortage are some of the reasons that have been discouraging the growers from trying to get a tractor.
Since not many growers in various districts of the province had shown any interest in obtaining a tractor, the Agriculture Department was forced to extend the last date of submitting forms twice to facilitate the poor growers. However, taking advantage of the situation, influential landlords have obtained subsidised tractors and now they are selling them to the growers on instalments.
