FAISALABAD: ‘Inadequate’ seed and water provision system, cotton diseases and pest attack are hampering the growth of the crop. Solution to these issues can raise Pakistan’s cotton output from 10 million bales to 15m bales per year worth $4 billion.

These views were expressed at a lecture on “Cotton crisis in Pakistan and future pathway” organised by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad on Monday.

Addressing the participants, Australian cotton expert Dr Neil William Forrester said in Punjab production had declined by 44 per cent, Sindh 5pc and overall country yield by 34pc.

He said Pakistan had already imported 2.2m bales worth $434m (July to December) due to last season’s shortfall.

He said cotton-producing districts of southern Punjab and northern Sindh were among the poorest in Pakistan. He said modern seed could raise Pakistan’s cotton output from 10m to 15m bales per year and that could bring $3.1-4.6bn to 1.7m farmers.

Dr Forrester called for a strong government regulatory framework for cotton seed industry.

He also stressed the need to establish a professional cotton seed company which could breed new varieties and produce pure seed with high germination.

About weed problems, he said weeds were causing a loss of 1m bales to Pakistan. He called for introducing transgenic herbicide resistant cotton and a strong, functioning biotechnology regulatory authority.

Former National Assembly speaker Syed Fakhar Imam said the agricultural research budget in the country had been negligible that must be enhanced to support researchers. “The Indian government, besides giving subsidy to farmers, is providing support price to 32 crops.”

He said if concrete steps were not taken, cotton growers would shift to other crops that would aggravate the shortfall next year.

UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad said cotton production had been facing stagnation since 20 years which was a matter of concern. He said seed system was not working in the country. He said the UAF scientists had developed genotype of cotton PB-896 that was high yielding.

Former agriculture secretary Arif Nadeem also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2016