‘Pakistan-China cooperation opens new era for cotton research’
LAHORE: Pakistan harvested only 5.6 million bales of cotton during the last season, the lowest production recorded in the country’s past three decades, according to Adeel Munawar, Commercial Ambassador of the Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI).
Speaking at a meeting held at the PCJCCI Secretariat on Monday, he said Pakistan’s cotton sector still possesses enormous potential, supported by strong genetic resources, extensive cultivation areas, experienced farmers, and a large textile industry that relies heavily on domestic cotton production.
He stressed that the sector’s challenges stem not from a lack of capability but from inconsistent adoption of science-based crop management practices.
He said timely sowing, balanced fertilizer application, efficient irrigation, integrated pest management (IPM), disease prevention, weed control, growth stage-based decision-making, and careful harvesting can significantly improve boll formation, fibre quality, and overall yields.
Adeel observed that research trials conducted in Punjab and Sindh have shown that differences in crop management, rather than climate alone, are the primary reason for yield gaps. Farms maintaining balanced nitrogen levels, avoiding excessive irrigation, controlling whitefly infestations early, and preventing pink bollworm outbreaks consistently achieve higher productivity than neighbouring fields growing the same cotton varieties.
He added that cotton production in Pakistan is driven by effective management rather than chance. Since cotton is highly sensitive to temperature, humidity, and daylight duration, understanding the climatic conditions of each production zone is essential for successful crop planning.
Highlighting opportunities for bilateral cooperation, Adeel said Pakistani cotton possesses excellent heat tolerance, while Chinese cotton varieties are known for their high yield and superior fibre quality. He said the complementary genetic resources of both countries provide an opportunity to develop improved cotton varieties through joint breeding programmes.
He revealed that Pakistan and China are planning to introduce new Chinese cotton seed varieties for adaptability trials in Pakistan before selecting the most suitable varieties for commercial cultivation.
He described the initiative as a significant example of the growing cooperation between the two countries in the cotton sector.
He further said that Xinjiang Agricultural University has been collaborating with Pakistani universities on cotton cultivation research for several years. Experimental fields have already been established in Faisalabad, while plans are underway to test mechanical cotton harvesting under Pakistani conditions.
He stressed that closer cooperation between Pakistan and China in research, seed development, mechanization, and modern farming technologies would contribute significantly to improving cotton productivity in both countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General of PCJCCI, said that a modern biotechnology Centre of Excellence laboratory is being established at the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) to strengthen cotton research and promote technological advancement in the sector.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026