LAHORE: The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) have agreed to strengthen scientific cooperation to tackle key challenges in cotton production.
PARC’s Director General for the Agricultural Linkages Program, Engineer Irfan Ali, visited CCRI Multan with a delegation. A meeting chaired by CCRI Director Ms Sabahat Hussain was also attended by Dr Rao Wali Muhammad, Secretary of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC).
Participants reviewed the PCCC-PARC agreement on conserving cotton germplasm, stressing safe storage, genetic purity and proper documentation. They also discussed joint research projects, mechanical cotton picking, biochar for soil health, and management of pink bollworm and whitefly through integrated pest management.
Ms Hussain said quality seed, genetic conservation and modern production technologies are vital to improving yield and quality. She called for sharing research facilities so findings can reach farmers.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026