Low Cotton production costs Rs 80 billion loss: Senate told

19 May, 2016

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Trade and Textile Industry Khurram Dastagir on Thursday apprised Senate that estimated production of cotton was 10.78 million bales during 2015-16.

Replying to a calling attention notice, he said that the country would face loss of Rs 80 billion with shortage of 3.97 million bales as compared to 13.97 million bales last year.

The minister said changing weather pattern with high temperature and rains at wrong timing was a major cause of decrease in cotton production besides pesticide attack, adding low yield was global phenomena.

He said that federal government was also providing agricultural assistance to provinces in order to increase production for next year.

The minister said that Pant Breeders Right Act would play important role to stop seed degradation, adding government would ensure availability of cotton seeds.

He said that 16 new varieties of cotton would be available for farmers in coming season which would help in increase in Cotton production.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2016

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