Pakistan capable of doubling cotton production

Pakistan has enormous potential for increasing its cotton production, according to Dr Zafar Hayat, senior member, Farmers Associates of Pakistan. Pakistan economy is losing billions of dollars every year due to sluggish production of cotton despite having potential.

He said that there is vast scope for increasing per acre yield of cotton in the country. Experiences of progressive farming have proved that the cotton production in Pakistan can easily be doubled if the impediments in its way are removed.

He said that due to unregulated seed industry, farmers are unable to find certified cotton seed on sustainable basis.

Poor quality seeds, lack of knowledge of modern techniques, improper and inadequate use of pesticides are among the reasons of low per acre yield of cotton.

Modern technologies like introduction of genetically modified seeds could not be introduced due to lack of legal cover.

The private seed breeders cannot produce basic seed under the prevalent legal framework, as inadequate legal cover causes a major challenge in launching of Bt cotton certification for the private seed sector and introduction of Genetically Modified (GM) seeds.

The cotton industry is in need of attention to streamline issues relating to regulation of seed sector in the country and employing Modern Technologies in the Agriculture sector to increase it cotton production.