Cotton to be sown on 10 million acres of land

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Cotton sowing has begun in the different parts of the country with expectation of over 17 million bales production during the cotton season 2012-2013.

Ihsan ul Haq executive member Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) has said that cotton cultivation has started in some parts of Sindh and Punjab and the country is likely to achieve a record crop in next cotton season, if weather and other factors remain favourable.

In Sindh, sowing has been started in Sanghar, Mirpur Khas, Umer Kot, Khipro, Badin, Hyderabad, Matyari, Tando Allayar, Tando Adam, Shahdad Pur and Gharoo, while in Punjab, Sahiwal, Pakpatan, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Toba Tak Singh,  Chichawatni, Faisalabad, Bure Wala, Arif Wala, Melsi and Khaneywal cotton is being sowing largely.

He said that some parts of Balochistan like Othal and Hub Choki has also witnessed cotton cultivation. "We are expecting that cotton will be cultivated on an area of 10 million acre across the country this year, while in term of bales a bumper crop of 17 million bales is expected during 2012-2013", he hoped. Adding he said bumper crop needs timely availability of fertilizer and water, besides favorable weather. Ihsan said that cotton sowing period is gradually widening and during the next few years cotton will  become a full year crop. BT cotton sowing is gradually increasing and expected to be cultivated over 80 percent area of  cotton production, however, he said that, this year there are some difficulties in availability of quality cotton seeds. Ihsan has urged the government to ensure supply of quality BT cotton seeds to achieve historical cotton production in the next season, which will resulted in earning of huge foreign exchange with export of excess production.