Pakistan Crop Protection Association (PCPA), while voicing concern over non-availability of pesticides and increase in its prices, has urged the government to take appropriate measures to address the issue.
A meeting of the association was held here on Thursday with its central chairman Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry in the chair. A large number of importers of pesticides from across the country attended the meeting.
'If the government failed to take timely action, to overcome the problem, the cotton crop could badly suffer', the participants of the meeting feared. According to the government policy, importers are allowed to import pesticides only from those manufactures in the world market with which their companies are registered, they said. They pointed out that these registered manufactures are short of supply which has badly affected the supply position in the local market.
They also noted with concern that these registered manufactures are charging desired prices from the importers.
The meeting also showed concern over increase in the price of 'Pendimethlyne,' an important pesticide for cotton. The meeting was apprised that 40 percent rise has been noted in pesticides prices as compared to the previous years.
The meeting demanded of the government to lift the restriction of importing pesticides from only registered manufactures, to ensure smooth supply in the local market and keep the prices stable.