Govt to boost cotton production with early cultivation plan

LAHORE: Early cultivation of cotton on three million acres across Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan is set to maximise production. The initiative targets a yield of 35 maunds per acre, which is expected to produce eight million bales. This would generate an estimated $8 million in benefits for the country and help reduce the import bill.

Sham Lal Manglani, chairperson of the task force on agriculture, announced the initiative alongside Zaki Aijaz, vice president and regional chairperson of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), and other key leaders such as SM Tanveer, Shehzad Ali Malik, Khalid Tawab and Khalid Khokhar, during a press conference on the revival of cotton at the FPCCI Regional Office in Lahore.

The leaders unveiled the major plan to revitalise the country’s cotton production. Zaki Aijaz also discussed critical reforms in the energy sector, noting that with the expiration of agreements with independent power producers (IPPs), electricity prices are expected to drop by Rs10 to Rs12 per unit by March and April 2025. He called for reducing electricity prices to Rs26 per unit and lowering the interest rate to 6.0 per cent. The leaders also stressed the importance of research and development to address the country’s challenges.

The FPCCI leaders urged the government to lift the ban on seed imports, which they believe would benefit farmers. They highlighted the need to ensure fair prices for crops, particularly cotton. Noting that cotton production in Pakistan has fallen from 15 million bales to just 5 million, they emphasised the need to restore production to previous levels. Increased cotton production, they said, would boost exports and reduce unemployment.

Zaki also urged farmers to adopt early cultivation techniques to ensure cotton crops are harvested before temperatures rise. They pointed out that cotton is not only crucial to the country’s economy but also constitutes 60 per cent of the country’s exports. As a high-value cash crop, restoring cotton production is key to economic growth.

“We must work together to restore cotton production and pave the way for Pakistan’s progress,” they concluded, stressing that reviving this vital sector will be crucial for a brighter economic future.