Cotton sowing missed by 7 percent

TAHIR AMIN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has missed early cotton sowing by 7 percent during the current season as compared to the same period of preceding year, which may hamper the commodity production in the upcoming year, informed sources revealed.

Sources in the Ministry of Textile Industry told Business Recorder that due to low prices of cotton, water and certified seed shortage, a significant decline in cotton production has been forecast for the upcoming year.

Sources revealed that the Cotton Crop Assessment Committee (CCAC) had projected cotton production at 12.598 million bales for the current season 2011-12; however the cotton production has exceeded the estimated target for the current year, but a significant decline of 7 percent in early cotton sowing has been recorded as compared to the same period of last year which will decline cotton production during the upcoming year.

Water is very important for cotton during the first 40 days of sowing, however Indus River System Authority (Irsa) forecast 21 percent water shortage for February and March, 2012 which affected early cotton sowing, sources maintained.

Sources further revealed that farmers received low prices during the last season, which discouraged them and significant decline in cotton sowing was recorded.

Sources observed that 8 BT cotton varieties were sent to National Bio-safety Centre for commercialization for the next season (2012-13) to boost cotton production in the country, however due to administrative issues, the approval has been delayed.

Similarly, the government opted for BT cotton cultivation and registered 9 BT varieties last year and approved 8 more this year, but the new varieties have to be cleared from the National Bio-safety Centre-the apex body that grants approval for testing and commercialization of Genetically Modified Crops/organisms. Due to these hindrances farmers failed to get certified seed which also resulted in cotton sowing decline.

Official said that decline in cotton sowing was mainly recoded in Punjab; however in Sindh the cotton sowing target has almost been achieved.

Last year major contribution in cotton production was from Punjab where cotton was sown on 6210000 acres, where early sowing declined by 7 percent during the current year. Cotton was sown on 664000 acres in Sindh and the sowing target was more or less achieved.