HYDERABAD, May 29: The cotton sowing is in full swing in Sindh and about 60 per cent crop sown up to May 22 is in good condition.

This was stated by the director-general, agriculture research and extension, Sindh, Malik Mohammad Akram, at a meeting here on Thursday that reviewed the cotton sowing position.

He said the cotton sowing target of 541,000 hectares would be achieved.

He said Mirpurkhas had reported cultivation of cotton on 53,572 hectares against the target of 45,400 hectares and 90 per cent cultivation had been completed in Sanghar, 85 per cent in Hyderabad, 95 per cent in Badin, 40 per cent in Dadu, 70 per cent in Nawabshah, 42 per cent in Naushahro Feroze, 45 per cent in Sukkur, 37 per cent in Khairpur and 20 per cent in Ghotki.

The cotton sowing had also started in rice-growing districts of Larkana, Shikarpur and Jacobabad, he added.

Mr Akram advised cotton growers to protect their crops from pests by adopting integrated pest management (IPM) approach and avoid extensive use of pesticides.

He lauded the decision of the federal government to increase the support price of cotton from last year's Rs800 to Rs850.

Mr Akram said the Sindh agriculture department had allowed cultivation of NIAB-78, CIM-473, FH-901, Chandi, Sohani, Shahbaz, Reshmi and CRIS-34 varieties of cotton in the province during the current season.