ISLAMABAD, July 31: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday approved restructuring of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) to make it a more efficient, viable and independent organisation geared to improve growth, marketing and manufacture of cotton.

Chairing a meeting to review cotton research and development framework and restructuring of the PCCC, the premier gave guidelines about the revamping plan, saying the objective of the government was to increase the production of cotton and enhance farmers’ income.

He said this was only possible if the PCCC made improvement in different stages of cotton production cycle, particularly better seeds, fighting crop diseases and better crop pattern.

"Prosperity of farmers, particularly small farmers, is our objective and the PCCC should focus on increasing yield through better seeds, extension services, better cropping pattern, soil testing and use of biotechnology," Mr Aziz added.

He said there was some improvement in cotton yield but more needed to be done. “Cotton crop has a trickle down effect on the economy, as a large number of people are connected to various segments of the textile industry,” he observed.

He asked the PCCC to expedite upgrading of the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan, to an international institute, initiate concerted programme for human resources development and intensify collaboration with the international cotton research establishment.

Mr Aziz emphasised the need for cutting edge research, which should be done in a coordinated manner to avoid duplication and achieve the best result. "Collaboration, coordination and cohesiveness between the federal and provincial governments and various research institutes are vital to get the best results," he said.

The prime minister expressed concern over slow pace of implementation of bio-safety guideline and emphasised the need to expedite the process. He said although the existing cooperation between growers, ginners, spinners and textile mills was satisfactory, all the stakeholders needed to further improve coordination to adjust their strategies according to the changes taking place around the world.

He said the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock should coordinate with the provincial governments for zoning of land and crop rotation for optimum use of land.

The agriculture ministry informed the meeting that the objective of cotton R&D strategy was higher productivity and improve quality. The ministry pointed out that the PCCC would encourage the private sector to invest in seed production and would try to bring about 25 per cent cultivated areas by 2009-10 under Bt cotton. Virus-resistant varieties will be made available by 2008-09 and the capacity of virology institutions will be strengthened.