Pakistan to set a target for cotton crop sowing for the next crop season as it sees an increase in the area under crop cultivation as the demand of cotton is estimated to increase by 28 percent with the getting of GSP Plus status. The Federal Cotton Committee (FCC) along with National Food Security and Research, Textile Industry Division, Planing Development and Reforms will meet on February 27 to fix the crop sowing targets for the next crop season and also take stock of the crop production during last year.

The provincial ministries of agricultures and their allied departments will be part of the meet to give their input regarding preparations for the cultivation of major crop in the country. During the meeting, Indus River Authority System will present the water availability situation during the season while the metrological office will apprise the meeting about the weather forecast and about the precautionary measures for crop to get maximum output during the season.

The officials of State Bank of Pakistan, National Bank of Pakistan and Zarai Traqiati Bank will present the credit disbursement and availability for cotton crop sowing. While the other stakeholder including National Fertilizer Corporation, Plant Protection Department and Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department would also be present for the meeting.

In this regard, all other departments including seed certification, bio-safety are also directed to work closely to fulfill the domestic requirements of seeds and pesticides to increase per acre crop production in the country.

According to the Pakistan Cotton Ginenrs Association, so far about 13.1 million cotton bales have arrived in the local market. However, the final figures of last year’s produce would be compiled by the first week of next month (March), which will illustrate the actual picture of cotton crop during the period under review.

The Punjab Province recorded its cotton production at about 9.36 million bales where as in Sind its output reached to 3.74 million bales as the crop was cultivated over 2.7 million hectares of land.