KARACHI, Aug 18: Sindh has sown a good cotton crop this year and expected to exceed cotton production target of 2.4 million bales by at least 100,000 bales.

This was stated by Sindh Food and Agriculture Minister Arif Mustafa Jatoi while presiding over a presentation on cotton crop in Sindh at the meeting of Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) here on Monday.

He said that overall impact of rain on cotton crop has been beneficial in the province, despite the devastation of rains in Badin and Thatta districts.

The minister was of the view that cotton production targets can easily be achieved in the country by adopting integrated approach.

Jatoi lauded the Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

programme in cotton and said that it will help in reducing cost of production and improve quality, enabling the country to compete in the international market.

He advocated for a free market economy and suggested a gradual shift from direct to indirect role of government in agriculture.

He announced that Sindh Agriculture Department will soon launch a refresher training programme for agriculture field assistance to improve their knowledge and skills.

Federal Secretary of Agriculture underlined the need for improving crop reporting system and said that cotton seed problem of Sindh would be solved while rain losses would be re-assessed as and when required.

PCCC representative gave an overview of world cotton production saying that Pakistan was likely to have higher output during 2003-2004.

The meeting was informed that Foundation Seed Cell has been established in Sindh to resolve cotton seed problems by introducing new varieties of seeds.—APP