ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: The cotton production in Balochistan showed remarkable progress as 100,000 bales of cotton have been produced during the current season, Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Khair Muhammad Junejo told APP here on Tuesday.

He said cotton sowing in Balochistan for the first time achieved 97 per cent of the target of 40,162 hectares during 2001- 2002.

He said federal and provincial governments had undertaken concerted efforts to introduce cotton cultivation in paddy growing areas of Khuzdar and Pat Feeder (Dera Murad Jamali).

He said the quality of cotton was exceptionally good and of excellent quality. He said seeds of two varieties Nayab-78 and CIM-109 were used, which gave remarkable results.

Being new area there was no threat of any pest attack so that “we want to initiate Integrated Pest Management Programme in Balochistan so that pest situation in Balochistan does not flare up,” he said.

Junejo said three ginning factories had been set up in the cotton growing area for processing the commodity and to facilitate the cotton growers. “We would encourage the private sector to set up more ginning factories in Khuzdar area,” he added.

Besides ginning factories, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has set up procurement canters. Necessary premium had also been provided for better grade and quality cotton by the TCP, he said.

The minister said some incentives including distribution of 50 per cent free of cost seed and technical assistance were offered for growing more cotton because it consumes lesser irrigation water as compared to the rice.

Chief Executive during his visit to Pat Feeder had also announced cotton growing package which ensured provision of free of cost cotton seed, agriculture credit facilities and technical know-how for cotton growers, he said.—APP