Decline in cotton output annoys PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed concern over decline in cotton production and directed Finance Ministry, Commerce Division and Ministry of National Food Security to submit recommendations after reviewing the proposals with respect to cotton support price for increasing cotton production in the country.

While chairing a high-level meeting on cotton crop production, policy and other issues related to the cotton crop on Monday, the premier directed that amendments to the Seeds Act and reconstitution of cotton committee should be completed. The meeting discussed total cotton production in the country as well as measures to address the challenges to increase its production and share in economy and import and export situation of cotton.

The prime minister stated that cotton plays an important role in the country's economy and expressing concern over visible difference between increase in the cotton production in other countries and Pakistan, stated that unfortunately no attention was paid in the past to adopt new technology as well as to provide financial support to farmers with the objective to increase the production of cotton. As a result, he stated, there was continuous decrease in the production of cotton crop due to disappointment among the farmers.

The prime minister was informed that measures are being taken to increase cotton production in consultation with All Pakistan Textile Mills Association and other stakeholders. He was further informed that with the help of China, new technology is used to increase the production of cotton and an 'Excellency Center' is being set up in Multan. To protect cotton crop from a specific kind of disease pink bollworm, the government under the Prime Minister Emergency Programme is importing technology which would be provided to farmers at the cheapest rates.

The meeting was also informed that a Chinese company CMEC is initiating a cotton farming project in Balochistan and similar measures are being taken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. The Cotton Seed Act is being amended on the demand of farmers and cotton committee is being reconstituted, the meeting was told.

Those who attended the meeting included Minister of National Food Security and Research Khuso Bukhtiar, Adviser on Commerce Razak Dawood, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan and others.