“Registered varieties of agriculture department were less prone to pest attack, give better yield and quality attributes. Seed varieties having latest genetic structure would be better prepared to counter attack of white fly, pink bollworm and other pests. These varieties would also reduce cost of production and deliver higher profits with higher per acre yield. Revival of cotton was a challenge and all stakeholders would have to strive harder and jointly to get cotton back to its old and important status”, said Syed Hussain Jahanian Gardezi.
In the meeting, factors such as reason for the stunted cotton growth which caused the lowest ever yield last season, the climate change, old technology application, and pest attack and devised a strategy for a better crop next season.
Gardezi ordered officials to speed up campaign against fake pesticides and ordered steps to ensure availability of agriculture implements in the market. He instructed scientists to develop such cotton varieties that can endure climate change and resist pest attack.
The agricultural PM instructed the scientists to work on specific types of cotton varieties that ensures heavy production of cotton even during the worse climate change and will also withstand the pest attack. He has also offered the management to take action against artificial pesticides and make sure that quality cotton seeds are available.
South Punjab secretary agriculture Saqib Ali Ateel, DG agriculture extension Dr. Anjum Ali Buttar, Chief Executive PARB Dr. Abid Mahmood, director cotton research institute Chuadhry Sagheer Ahmad and other officials attended the meeting.
