LAHORE: Cotton stakeholders have welcomed the lifting of the 50-year ban on cotton seed import, saying a turnaround in the sector could occur in the next four to five years.

“This will enable growers to access improved cotton hybrids, enhance crop yields and reduce dependency on cotton imports, ultimately strengthening our agriculture and textile value chains,” Guard Agri CEO Shehzad Ali Malik said.

Flanked by leaders of textile mills, seed companies and growers, he told a media briefing that the cotton crop would see a turnaround within four to five years to achieve results like in rice and maize crops gained through the hybrid seeds.

Federation of Pakistan Chamber and Commerce Industry Regional Chairman Zain Iftikhar Chaudhry said the cotton sector had been grappling with severe challenges for years. Industry experts have consistently warned that without the revival of cotton, the textile industry would be in jeopardy. Allowing the import of cotton seeds marks a critical first step toward revitalising the industry.

All Pakistan Textile Mills Association Chairman Kamran Arshad projected that this year alone, Pakistan may have to spend $3bn to $4bn on cotton imports. However, if domestic cotton production is restored to 14m bales, textile exports could soar to $25-30bn. At full operational capacity, the textile sector would require 16.5 to 17m bales annually.

Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association’s Sajjad Malik and Pakistan Kisan Ittehad Council President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar also spoke.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2025