KARACHI, Sept 15: Sindh Food and Agriculture Minister Arif Mustafa Jatoi on Wednesday said that water shortage would not affect the standing cotton crop in the province as the government was actively taking all possible measures to tackle the situation.

Addressing the board of directors of the Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) and cotton traders, the minister assured that all necessary steps were being taken to ensure that the cotton crop might not suffer on account of water shortage.

Mr Jatoi stressed upon the business community to ensure a fair return to growers if they want to ensure larger crop in coming years. He said all necessary measures were being taken to increase cotton production.

The minister informed the meeting that the cotton crop in Sindh was promising and the target of cotton production fixed by the provincial government would be easily achieved.

Responding to a demand of the association to resume hedge trading in cotton under the aegis of the KCA, the minister agreed to take up the matter at an appropriate level and assured his help and assistance in this respect.

In reply to a question regarding cultivation of BT cotton, Mr Jatoi said: "Our experience is not good but the government is making all-out efforts to introduce better BT cotton varieties, and its cultivation will be launched after completing necessary research."

KCA Vice-Chairman Anwer Yasin said that there was an urgent need to increase cotton production to at least 15 million bales in coming years by enhancing area under cultivation and yield per acre.

He urged the government to encourage scientists and cotton breeders to evolve high-yielding and virus-resistant varieties by way of generously funding research work and laboratories.

For promoting production of contamination-free cotton, Mr Yasin request the minister to direct the provisional agriculture department to amend the Cotton Control Act, 1966 for making it mandatory on the ginners to mark grade and staple on each bale of cotton.

He suggested to the minister not to succumb to the pressure of the irrigation department nor agree to the closure of canals at this stage as it would adversely affect the much-needed bumper cotton crop. The KCA vice-chairman also stressed upon the need for construction of dams and water reservoirs to overcome the problems of water shortage.