Southern Punjab to be made ‘cotton valley’

LAHORE:The third review meeting on Punjab cotton cultivation targets was held at Multan's Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Agricultural University, chaired by Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani and attended by Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Assembly members Rana Muhammad Salim and Chaudhry Zia-ul-Rehman, and special participants Chaudhry Osama Fazal, Osama Leghari, and Zahid Akram.

Minister for Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani emphasized that the revival of cotton in the province is a top priority under the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The current government is committed to transforming the southern Punjab region into a cotton valley once again. Kirmani said that the target for cotton cultivation in Punjab is set at 4 million acres to produce 6.5 million bales of cotton. Kirmani also stressed the need for a zero-tolerance policy against those involved in counterfeit fertilizers and agricultural pesticides. Strict monitoring should be implemented to ensure the availability of quality agricultural inputs at fixed prices. Field staff from Agriculture (Ext) and Pest Warning should provide a schedule of their visits for proper monitoring. Additionally, efforts are being made to ensure an abundant supply of canal water in cotton cultivation areas.

Secretary Agriculture Punjab, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo urged the improvement of ongoing activities to guide farmers towards achieving the target of cotton cultivation and production. Regular meetings of Divisional and District Advisory Committees should be conducted, and technical advice should be sought from experts and stakeholders. The private sector should assist farmers based on the technical advice issued by the Agriculture Department. Sahoo emphasized the termination of miscellaneous duties of field staff to focus on the ongoing cotton campaign, with digital monitoring of activities in cotton areas.Secretary Agriculture Saqib Ali Ateel highlighted the need to increase the capacity for breeding beneficial insects and raise awareness about delaying the chemical spray on cotton. The meeting participants were informed that 49% of the area in Multan Division, 28% in Bahawalpur, and 28% in DG Khan have been cultivated as per the set target.In the end, Kirmani urged for accelerated cotton cultivation to meet the target by May 15. Officials and experts including Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Rajwana, Additional Secretary Agriculture Task Force Punjab Shabir Ahmed Khan, Consultant Agriculture Department Dr. Anjum Ali, and other key officials attended the meeting.