ISLAMABAD: Chinese experts from Xinjiang region have reached an agreement with Pakistani scientists for planting BT cotton on 800 acres in Sindh and the Punjab.

Of the 800 acres selected for BT cotton plantation, 400 acres would be utilised applying drip irrigation method and on another 400 acres, sprinkler irrigation method would be applied.

A decision in this regard was taken here on Tuesday in a meeting between a two-member Chinese mission, headed by Qiquan Zhang, Director General, Agriculture Division, Xinjiang Production and Corporation and the Chairman of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Dr Zafar Altaf.

Both the sides discussed steps to boost BT cotton production in the Punjab and Sindh and decided that the PARC would monitor all research activities being carried out through a joint venture for production of coloured and white cotton on a large scale.

The delegation has selected experimental sites in the cotton growing areas of Sindh and Punjab after holding meetings with experts and scientists for cultivation of BT cotton in collaboration with provincial scientists.

Incidentally during the visit of the Chinese mission to Sakrand area, the cotton processing plant was out of order and delinting facility was not available.

However, the guests witnessed wheat seed processing plant.

During their visit to the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) in Multan, scientists apprised the mission that they started work on colour cotton in 1993 and developed coloured shades in cotton gene pool. Dong Li Xia also gave a presentation to scientists at CCRI about the status of coloured cotton in China.

Dr Rukhsana, Director AZRI, Bahawalpur, briefed the Chinese mission about bio-fuel plants development in Pakistan. The team also visited Faisalabad.

The guests were given a presentation on status of Cotton in Pakistan and possibilities of collaboration between 4B group and Chinese company was explored.

They discussed the MOU signed by the Punjab government with China on agriculture.

Dong Li Xia gave a detailed presentation.

Salim Qureshi and Dr Farooq Mehdi, consultants for Chinese projects and Ms Hameeda Masood Shah, In charge, gender and social development programme, also accompanied the Chinese mission.

At the end of the meeting, it was recommended that germ plasm of hybrid BT colour cotton and inter-specific hybrids need to be acquired from China and production technology to be tested at five sites selected by the Chinese on coloured and white cotton on a large scale.

Another Chinese team would visit Pakistan next month for implementation of the project.