Four cotton testing laboratories would be set up shortly with a cost of about Rs 80 million, said Chairman, Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), Muhammad Azam Warraich.
Talking to APP on Tuesday the PCGA chief said that these labs were being set up by the Pakistan Cotton Standard Institute (PCSI), working under the Textile Ministry, Government of Pakistan.
The new labs would determine the level of trash, strength, length of the fiber and moisture, it was explained. The labs, one each, would be established at the office of the PCGA Multan, Vehari, Bahawalpur and Sanghar (Sindh).
"This is a big stride towards securing contamination-free and qualitative cotton, which will fetch more price to the farmers as well as the ginners", said the official. However, he said that such a facility was needed at each district headquarter in the cotton belt region.
"Pakistan's economy can get a boost by increasing per acre yield of cotton from 20 maunds to 40 maunds, as in Egypt. Pakistani scientists and experts ought to strive for such goals", he said.