LAHORE: Punjab has achieved around 82 percent of its cotton sowing target for the ongoing season, with cultivation completed on nearly 2.62 million acres out of the overall target of 3.2 million acres, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said on Tuesday.
He said Bahawalpur division alone is expected to contribute more than half of the province’s total cotton sowing target, reflecting its central role in Punjab’s cotton production landscape. Officials informed the secretary that a target had been set to cultivate cotton on 1.695 million acres in Bahawalpur division, of which nearly 80 percent had already been achieved.
The secretary expressed optimism that the province would achieve 100 percent of the cotton sowing target by May 31, 2026, adding that the agriculture department is closely monitoring crop progress and extending technical guidance to farmers for timely completion of sowing activities.
The Secretary was speaking at an important meeting regarding the current status of the cotton crop held in Bahawalpur under his chairmanship.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Bahawalpur Division Irfan Ali Kathia, Special Secretary Agriculture South Punjab Sarfraz Hussain Magsi, Deputy Commissioner Bahawalpur Syed Hassan Raza, Director Generals of the Agriculture Department Punjab Abdul Hameed, Naveed Ismat Kahlon and Dr. Amir Rasool, officers of the Irrigation Department, farmers and other stakeholders. The deputy commissioners of Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan also participated in the meeting through video link.
During the briefing, the secretary agriculture was informed that the current condition of the cotton crop in Bahawalpur division was satisfactory and sowing activities were progressing steadily in line with the provincial cultivation campaign. Officials informed the meeting that Bahawalpur division was playing a central role in achieving Punjab’s cotton revival targets this season.
Addressing the meeting, Sahoo said appreciated the awareness and mobilization campaign being carried out under the leadership of Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia for achieving cotton sowing targets in the division and acknowledged the coordinated efforts of the district administration, agriculture field staff and other departments.
The secretary said that all possible resources and administrative measures were being utilized to achieve the cotton cultivation target across the province. He added that according to the international market outlook, cotton prices were expected to remain stable and encouraging during the current season, which would benefit growers and support increased cultivation.
He further said the local market price of seed cotton had already crossed Rs 11,000 per maund, describing it as a positive indicator for farmers. Sahoo added that the government was ensuring the availability of fertilizers and quality agricultural pesticides in markets at prescribed prices to facilitate cotton growers during the ongoing sowing season.
He also informed the meeting that adequate supply of canal water in cotton-growing areas was being ensured in coordination with the irrigation department so that farmers did not face water shortages during the critical sowing and crop development stages.
Emphasizing the importance of collective efforts, Sahoo said that active and practical participation of all stakeholders, including farmers, agriculture officers and district administrations, was essential for achieving cotton cultivation and production targets.
The secretary also instructed officials to further accelerate activities related to cotton crop management, monitoring and farmer guidance to ensure better crop health and productivity during the season.
Later, Sahoo visited the Model Agriculture Mall in Bahawalpur and reviewed the ongoing operational activities there. On the occasion, he directed the relevant authorities to further improve facilities being provided to farmers at the Model Agriculture Mall and ensure timely provision of agricultural inputs and advisory services.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026