Pakistan puts cotton disease surveillance system in place

He stated that this project has helped public sector cotton R&D organizations in strengthening of laboratory facilities, operational expenses for carrying out experiments and human resource development which will put long last impacts for the betterment of our institutions. He was also optimistic of getting good results and outcome for managing CLCuV through the ICARDA Project.

Dr Khalid Abdullah, Cotton Commissioner, Textile Industry Division / Vice President, Pakistan Central Cotton Committee stated that CLCuV is a major threat for cotton production and the country has suffered significant economic losses due to this disease. He was also hopeful that the cotton germplasm supplied by the ICARDA will be helpful in evolving CLCuV resistant cotton varieties in Pakistan.

The private sector representative included cotton experts from Prime Seed Corporation, Rahim Yar Khan; Ali Akbar Farms, Multan; Weal AG SC, Jahanian; and Saim Seed Corporation, Jahanian.  ICARDA appreciated the interest and role of private stakeholders for screening and multiplication of various seeds to smoothly run the project activities.

Later all the participants had a fieldtour to US Germplasm, planted at CCRI Multan and keenly inspected the highly tolerant stuff in the field. They also visited the ‘Germplam cold storage facility’ and ‘Cotton germplasm resources laboratory’ established at CCRI, Multan and appreciated the role of ICARDA as well as USDA in strengthening the R&D capacity of Pakistani research system with the objective to cure the prevalent chronic and lethal virus disease.

Cotton Commissioner - Pakistan