Seed technology can give a major head start to the country’s agriculture and the government is trying to improve cotton seed sector by ensuring modern seed technology, said Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam.
During his virtual address in National Seminar on Elimination of Pink Bollworm at Central Cotton Research Institute, the minister Fakhar Imam remarked that the incumbent government is well aware of problems being faced by the farmers. Genetically modified cotton varieties planted in Pakistan are first generation Bt cotton, which has disoriented its resistance to the pink ball worm and caused severe damage to the crop in the last season.
The government is taking practical steps for revival of cotton industry, adding, the government’s efforts would start yielding positive results soon. The minister stated that steps were being taken to resolve administrative and financial issues of different research departments.
South Punjab Agriculture Secretary Saqib Ateel also addressed and advocated for joint efforts to promote cotton industry. He suggested the use of biological methods to control pests, adding, the trend of maximum spray should be discouraged.
The officials of National Food Security and Research and Central Cotton Research Institute namely Dr Muhammad Ali Talpur, Dr Khalid Abdullah, Dr Zahid Mahmood focused on adherence to recommendations of the research departments. Pakistan Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar demanded of the government to impose ban on import of cotton as it would help local farmers to earn handsome amount.
