World Cotton Day: provision of pure seeds, steps to tackle weather changes urged

Speakers, on the occasion of World Cotton Day on October 7, urged the government to provide pure cotton seed and take necessary measures to tackle weather changes in the country.
The Pakistan Institute of Cotton Research and Technology (PICR&T), for the first time, arranged discussion at a private hotel here on Monday. The Day was also celebrated in Geneva.
On the occasion, Karachi Cotton Association's Chairman Khawja M Zubair said that "what we feel to improve the cotton production and quality, we try to convey the government, but the government could not give timely and due attention to the cotton related issues. We also arranged seminars and workshops to draw the attention of the government, but in vein," he said.
"Despite disappointments, we hope that government will take measures to bring positive changes in the cotton field," he expects.
Speaking on the occasion, PICR&T Director Ahmed Ali Khan highlighted the importance of practical steps in right direction. He said the rates of cotton must be based on quality not on area.
Cotton analyst Naseem Usman said "in past despite several difficulties, we achieved our desired targets, but today, the situation is changed." The major challenge is change of weather and the government must prepare strategy to combat effects of climate change on crop.
Other speakers Usman Kosar Lutfi, syed Naseem Ali, Zubair Shakoor, Chandar Lal and Babu Ramesh called for practical steps to meet the challenges. -PR