For the last few years, the cotton cultivation area has been on the decline gradually. Thus, it was creating trouble for the rural and the country’s overall economy by lowering the textile exports.
Farmers showed a lack of interest in the cultivation of cotton, even in the cotton belt of South Punjab. There were multiple factors for the decline of cotton cultivation areas.
In 2011-12, the cotton cultivation area was over five million acres in south Punjab. The cultivated area declined mainly due to low profitability, pests attack, and a shift of farmers’ focus to other profitable crops, including maize and sugarcane.
The farmers were facing losses, and continuous pests attack, particularly pink bollworm. The third issue was the rising prices of inputs and climate changes.
In 2020, the cotton cultivation area reduced to 3.168 million acres at the provincial level, and its production figures reduced to the level of production obtained in 1984.
Dr. Sagheer Ahmad, cotton scientist and Director of Cotton Research Institute, Multan, also hinted that there would be maximum cotton cultivation in the upcoming season. He maintained that high profitability would be the main factor in increasing the cultivation area. He hoped that there would be handsome cotton production in the upcoming season. Research bodies are also working hard to guide farmers, especially for seed quality, cotton field management, pest control, and how to compete against climate change.
Due to some concrete measures and sincere efforts of the incumbent government, the cotton cultivation area is likely to increase remarkably in the upcoming season. During the ongoing season, the farmers are availing the highest price ever against white gold, ranging from Rs 6000 to Rs 8500 per 40 kg, depending on cotton quality. However, the farmers were forced to sell cotton against Rs 2500 per 40 kg in the past. In 2020, the farmers lost billions of rupees because of increased attacks of pink bollworm and unseasonal excessive rains.
Though the increased cultivation of cotton is good news for Pakistan’s textile sector, more focus should be on improving the produced fibers’ quality. Currently, Pakistan produces low-quality cotton, which is not suitable for many products.
Thus, the country must import fine cotton, increasing import bills, and cotton prices. If Pakistan’s researchers could work together to improve cotton quality, a significant amount of savings could be done.
