Cotton crop must be under supervision of 'my ministry': Bosan

Federal Minister for food security and research Haji Sikandar Hayat Bosan has said that Cotton research Institutes and cotton crop must be under the supervision of his ministry to achieve the target of 20 million bales of cotton. Addressing the meeting of Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) chaired by Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi here on Monday.
The minister said that we are trying to cut the cost of agricultural production and to bring the prices of grain and other commodities at the level of International Market. He said that plant breeder rights bill could not be approved during the last 13 years .PPP / did not even touch its file during its tenure. It was a national loss.
The Minister said that we have easily achieved the target of mango export of 0.1 million tons and now More than 0.3 million tons of Kinnow would be exported this year. The Minister said that Pakistan would soon be self sufficient in edible oil and we are going to cultivate soya bean in Bahawalpur, Pothoar, KPK and other areas. "No duty-free cotton import will be permitted until and unless all the locally-produced cotton is sold completely. "He further said that they were aware of the problems faced by small cotton growing farmers. "Safeguarding the interests of Pakistani cotton growers and overall farmers is one of the key priorities of the government," Bosan added.He said that agricultural research is improving day by day, and expressed hope to develop fully functional research institutions in due course of time. Bosan made it clear that he was pro-farmers and he was proud of being pro-agriculture but he was not enemy of APTMA.
He was optimistic that cotton area would be increased next year because farmers had earned profit during current season due to better production and fair weather. The minister admitted that sun flower production decreased to 0.2 million tonnes from one million tonnes. He stressed the need for encouraging the sowing of oil-seed. He said that sun flower consumes less water than wheat. 15 maunds per acre sunflower production may fetch Rs 40,000 crop sold for Rs 2,700 per 40 kg. Land preparation and cost of production is between Rs 15, 000 to Rs 17, 000. It gives 15 maunds per acre yield. It requires 400 kg of seeds/acre. grown in two seasons spring and summer. In south-Sindh is grown in January 15-February 2 and July 15-August 30 While north-Sindh planting in February and July 15-August 30.
Former MCCI President Farid Mughis Sheikh said that there was no justification for free-trade between India and Pakistan when India was plotting to dismember Pakistan, we are in state of war with India. He suggested to impose complete ban on Indian products like spare parts, cotton-yarn,cotton, made-ups etc.
MCCI President Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi in his welcome address said that being ason of soil he (Bosan) should get approved special development package for Multan. Safari park, zoological garden, Museum and gymkhana club should also be established in Multan for recreation of Multanites.
He demanded for lifting ban on the import of cotton immediately because there was a gap of 4 million bales of cotton in demand and supply. Chairman of Multan Dry port Muhammad Ahmed Chughtai demanded for restoration of certification facility for pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers,chemicals etc by plant protection department at the dry port. Chaudhry Zulfikar Ali, Bakhtawar Tanvir Sheikh, Rehman Nasim, Khawaja Muhammad Azam,Khawaja Tahir, Khawaja Muhammad Younas Chairman APBUMA, Suhail Mehmood Haral Senior Vice Chairman of PCGA and Syed Muhammad Aasim Shah Vice President of FPCCI also spoke.