The Punjab Agriculture Department has advised farmers to complete cotton sowing before May 31, as crop sown after this date is susceptible to attack of diseases/ insect & pests. In an advisory issued here on Saturday, a spokesman said that Government has managed to ensure the availability of required quantity of certified cotton seed in the market for commercial cultivation during the forthcoming season.
There is no deficiency of quality seed at all. However, many queries and complaints from farmers' side have been received where various companies, farmers and individuals are offering so called "Double and Triple genes varieties" to the farmers for sale and commercial cultivation in Punjab. He advised the cotton growers to keep away from such fake offers.
'Farmers are advised to insist for purchase of "Certified Seed of Approved Varieties"only. Never purchase any seed without official Tag/Label issued by Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department (FSC&RD). All seed particulars eg, year of production, Seed purity, Germination %age, etc are mentioned on these labels along with an official seal of an authorized officer of FSC&RD must be presented,' he added.
The spokesman further urged the growers to consults neighbouring Agriculture department official for proper selection/ information. Ensure to get the original invoice of payment from the seed vendor mentioning particulars like Invoice/receipt No, company name, quality, lot No, price, date of purchase and name, address and contact of the vendor.
Save a small quantity of seed from each lot for further reference that will be helpful if any issue arises in quality of seed. No "Triple gene variety" has been approved so far by the government while only two "Double gene varieties" named CEMB-33 and CA-12 have been approved so far and will be available if claimed so should carry official label on the bag and should be certified. Most of the Double gene varieties being offered are fake, under script and illegal.
Contact authorities concerned in case of complaint of storage or sale of such illegal seeds. Contact Seed Inspector office located in the nearest FSC&RD lab for registration of any complaint, the spokesman further mentioned. In case of any issue, manage to file an early complaint with all record so that it could be properly investigated and proceed for legal action, if required.
Spokesman further disclosed that since 2017-18, due to climatic condition and flood cotton crop affected worldwide. India, USA, and China are searching out cotton market to import cotton and under the situation. Uzbekistan has set up ginning factories for cotton. Prior to it, Uzbekistan was regarded one of the largest cotton raw exporter in the World but now he is looking for cotton to be used by itself.
China has cotton reserves but due to population growth, she is also looking for global cotton exporter. India has some issues with Monsanto Company regarding seed technology etc and also due to climatic change; her cotton reserves are not satisfactory for herself during this year. So, India will also look for exporter of cotton.
Turkey is considering stopping imports of US cotton and explores new markets for its cotton requirements including from India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Egypt. Turkey is considering stopping imports of cotton products from United States as its export of angular iron rods to the United States may be in trouble due to high tariff announced recently by US President Trump. Turkey imports cotton products amounting to $519 million per year from US while its export of angular iron rods to the United States is around $525 million. All these measures are supporting cotton exporter of Pakistan as have much bright chances to find a global market of cotton.