Early cotton crops hit hard by extreme temperatures

LAHORE: Early-sown cotton crops in Punjab have been severely impacted by a relentless heatwave, according to a senior official speaking on Monday. The extreme temperatures have hindered germination for crops planted after wheat and caused flower shedding in the crop planted in February and March.

The severe heatwave in May and June further exacerbated the situation, with temperatures soaring up to 48 degrees C in many areas of southern Punjab.The official noted that cotton was planted on 3.41 million acres in Punjab, falling short of the four million-acre target. This shortfall is partly due to the expansion of sesame cultivation from 0.93 million to 1.76 million acres. Consequently, the number of cotton bales produced has dropped to 392,736, compared to 636,684 bales last year.

Similarly, Sindh’s cotton crop, which benefited from earlier sowing, also suffered from harsh weather, with reported arrivals of 682,292 bales, down from 1,478,749 bales last year, according to a report by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) released on August 18, 2024.

To address these challenges, the Punjab Agriculture Department has implemented a comprehensive cotton management plan. This includes setting up 77 Sahulat Centres for weekly review meetings with the agriculture minister and secretary, and forming divisional and district committees led by divisional and district commissioners.

A tehsil adoption programme is also underway in 40 tehsils with the private sector’s support, and a robust pest management programme is being supported by the Land Information and Management System (LIMS) and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).

In a recent review meeting held in Multan on August 17, 2024, it was noted that, despite the adverse conditions and a rainy July and August, the crop’s fruiting bodies are significantly higher than last year. Efforts are being made to convert as many flowers into bolls as possible to mitigate weather-related losses and meet the target of 19.5 maund per acre for Punjab.

The PCGA’s latest report reveals a substantial decline in cotton arrivals across the country this year. Total arrivals have dropped to 1.075 million bales from 2.115 million bales last year, marking a 49.18 per cent decrease. In Punjab, arrivals have decreased to 0.392 million bales from 0.636 million bales, while Sindh’s arrivals fell to 0.682 million bales from 0.796 million bales.

In Punjab, Rahim Yar Khan reported a 73.22 per cent decrease in cotton bales, from 23,607 last year to just 6,321 this year. Bahawalpur saw a 41.92 per cent drop, with 28,305 bales compared to 48,746 last year. Other key districts in Punjab, including Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Vehari, Sahiwal, and Pakpattan, also experienced varying degrees of reduction in cotton arrivals: the respective decline reported is 41.24 per cent, 31.62 per cent, 3.08 per cent, 53.9 per cent, 20.97 per cent, 14.2 per cent and 100 per cent.