Pakistan's Punjab achieves 96% cotton sowing target

Representatives of Provincial Governments, Plant Protection Department, Trading Cooperation of Pakistan (TCP), Cotton Growers, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) and Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) attended the meeting. The committee met to asses the volume of current cotton crop in the country.

After a round of introductions, the meeting started with a welcome address by the chairperson. The chair thanked the participants and appreciated the stakeholders’ interest in the process of cotton crop assessment.

Secretary, Textile Industry Division described the objectives of the meeting and the overview of cotton crop production in the country was dilated by Dr. Khalid Abdullah, Cotton Commissioner. Challenges faced by the cotton crop especially low availability of irrigation water during sowing season, Seed quality issues, climate change issue, new pests and diseases attacking to cotton crop were discussed in detail.

Representatives of the Provincial Government, Punjab explained in detail the methodology for crop assessment and informed that 5766082 acres out of 600,000 acres have been planted which makes 96% of cotton sowing target. He explained the various reasons for not achieving the sowing target.

Representative of Government of Sindh could not attend the meeting however the data provided by the Director Agriculture showed 140793 acres out of 160615 acres of target has been sown, which is 88% of the target area. Director CCRI, Sakrand deliberated the reasons of not achieving the sowing target.

Farmer members from Sindh and Punjab stressed on the new researchable areas like Dusky cotton bugs, Climate change, and introduction of new Bt technology to maximize the cotton production in the country. Member representing APTMA was of the opinion that the assessment may not be changed based on the area not sown, whereas, representative of PCGA was of the view that crop volume would be close to 13 million bales.

Ms. Shah emphasized on the availability of quality cotton seed which ensures production, emphasized the importance of clean cotton and implementation of quality standards and standard bale weight in the national interest. Secretary, Textile Industry Division stated that cotton crop size may be assessed on the basis of sowing data provided by Provincial Governments and the area not cultivated must be reflected in the revised estimates.

Click here to view estimated cotton crop production

Cotton Commissioner - Pakistan