HYDERABAD: Farmers in the rain-fed Kohistan region expect bumper crops of sorghum, guar, and apple gourd this year, as they received heavy rains after 11 years.
“Since then, the people were facing dryness and had to sell out their traditional assets; animals, one after the other to survive the situation,” he added.
While sorghum, guar, and apple gourd would bring prosperity for farmers, the sesame crop would likely give disappointing yields this year.
Sorghum too is considered drought tolerant, but its cultivation has dropped among the farmers in the Kohistan region, whereas in barrage areas, it is mainly used as fodder.
Similarly, guar is a better food and cash crop for the farmers in arid zones, like Kohistan, Kaccho and Thar Desert, whereas the apple gourd is a major cash crop.
The gourd is sold for Rs2,000/maund in major markets, and is presently being sold for Rs60 to Rs100/kg in local markets.
Abdul Majeed Palari, another farmer of the same village, said his family had 100 goats, but now they were left with only five.
Abdul Majeed, an elder in the community, said Kohistan still produced best quality onion.
But it all depended on the market forces, he said. That is why many farmers are reluctant to cultivate onion in this area,” the community elder added.