Pakistan's cotton production declines by 60pc

Pakistan's effort to increase agriculture production failed as a staggering fall of up to 60 percent was seen in cotton production by August 31.

According to the data shared by the Pakistan Cotton Ginner Association (PCGA), around 1.226 million bales reached ginning factories by August 31, a significant decline from 3.04 million bales of the previous year.

The decline is linked to various factors, including environmental changes such as heat waves in June and July and heavy rains in August.

However, the attack of insects over crops, cotton market manipulation by vested interest, shrinking profitability, and lack of government support in research and development also lead the production to plunge.

Sindh produced 0.773 million bales compared to 1.972 million in the previous year, a 61 percent reduction.

In Punjab, production fell by 58 percent as the province grew only 0.453 million bales against 1.068 million in the fiscal year 2023-24.

Director General Punjab’s Crop Reporting Service (CRO) claimed that the weight of cotton bolls was unequal, a 1.52 percent increase was noted in weight. The weight of bolls was recorded at 3.34g this season against 3.29g last year.

Central Cotton Research Institute's Sajid Mehmood attributed the lower trend to a lack of funds for research and development to develop fresh strategies according to climate change impacts.

Cotton Ginners Forum Chairman Ihsanul Haq said heavy rain damaged both the quantity and quality of cotton, which increased the import of cotton.

Textile millers have so far imported 1.171 million bales against 2.615 million bales in the same period last year, he added.

According to Karachi Cotton Brokers Forum chairman Naseem Usman, Pakistani millers have signed import deals of 1.6 million bales.