LAHORE: The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan have agreed to pool their scientific laboratories, field facilities, and genetic resources to accelerate mechanical cotton harvesting, soil biochar research, and pink bollworm control.

The decision was finalised during a high-level research meeting at CCRI Multan, co-chaired by PARC Director General (Agricultural Linkages) Engr Irfan Ali and CCRI Multan Director Sabahat Hussain, alongside Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) Secretary Dr Rao Wali Muhammad.

The meeting reviewed the PARC-PCCC MoU to preserve the genetic purity and diversity of conserved cotton germplasm for future high-yield variety breeding.

Advancing research on crop suitability for mechanical picking and exploring biochar applications to enhance soil productivity was also discussed. It was also decided to integrate joint research on integrated pest management (IPM) and biological controls targeting pink bollworm and whitefly.

The participants also agreed on jointly funding and executing research initiatives under PARC’s agricultural linkages programme utilising CCRI’s experimental fields and seed storage infrastructure.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2026