The federal government has asked for provincial governments'' comments in connection with preparation of a long-term strategy for increasing cotton production. The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) has fixed the 2007-08 cotton output target close to 14.6 million bales-a record cotton output achieved in 2004-05.
Sources told Business Recorder that according to initial estimates of the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock (Minfal), the cotton production could be around 14.4 million bales during the next fiscal. However, they said that Minfal had sought comments from the agriculture departments of Punjab and Sindh in order to base its projections for the next fiscal on accurate information.
The provinces have been asked to furnish their reports within a week, as the meeting of the Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) is likely to be held on April 10. The FCA will set production targets of Kharif crops including cotton and review the performance of Rabi crops including wheat.
An official at the Minfal, when contacted, said that it would be too early to suggest the exact production target for next fiscal. However, he admitted that the ministry is working out a plan to increase the cotton production to over 14 million bales a year. The cotton output could be between 14.2 to 14.5 million bales in 2007-08, he said without explaining.
Food Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan has also convened an informal meeting of concerned officials on April 2 to review the situation prior to the FCA meeting. Besides cotton, the FCA would also set production estimates for some other Kharif crops like rice and sugarcane.
Sources said that Minfal estimates were based on the overall scenario in which it is said that country''s potential is of about 25 million bales. But such a scenario is hard to achieve in the coming years, keeping in view the increasing prices of agricultural inputs especially fertiliser. They said that cotton production cost was recorded close to Rs 1,000 per 40 kg, while the price was between Rs 1,100 to 1150 per 40 kg this season, according to the sources.
They were of the view, the country used to experience a water shortfall in the early Kharif season. "But in the coming Kharif, it is expected to start Kharif season with carryover stocks of about 4.5 MAF water," the Minfal official said. The availability of water in such a larger quantity may bring positive impact on cotton, rice and sugarcane, which need water during sowing, the official said.
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