Saying that "Cotton is an important cash crop for Pakistan" would be an understatement. It accounts for 8.2 per cent of the value added in the agriculture sector and about 2% to GDP, adds over $2.8 billion to the national economy. Livelihood of millions of farmers and of those employed along the entire cotton value chain is dependent on this single crop.
Their entire lifestyle and socio-economic parameters are shaped by the performance of cotton sector - meaning, it is "the life line of the national economy". Although the area under cultivation of cotton has been increasing in the last few years, cotton production remains still below the target.
Some of the predicaments our cotton crop is faced with include high price of agriculture inputs (seeds, fertilisers, pesticides etc), higher intensity of insects and pests attack, shortage of irrigation water and lack of good quality and varieties of seeds to name a few. They all contribute to the shortfall of cotton in the country.
About 2 million cotton bales are being imported since the last several years to cater for the shortfall. Price of import depends on the market rates prevalent. From net exporter of cotton, Pakistan is today a cotton importer. In the face of dwindling local supplies, rising prices and continued contamination problems, local mills are finding the import of cotton increasingly attractive.
Given the need for higher-count yarns and better quality fabrics for the export market and specialised products demanded by the domestic market, Pakistan's textile industry is expected to rely increasingly on US Pima cotton and contamination-free upland cotton.
Biotechnology is one answer to this problem. Today, 8.2 million farmers in 17 countries of whom 90% belong to the developing countries choose to plant biotech crops. The use of biotech crops has significantly reduced pesticide usage while increasing yields. It helps in reducing crop losses as the plant is less prone to disease like Bollgard and curl leaf. Bio-technology (BT) Cotton can protect against Boll worms and may reduce the current losses by half.
Other measures like herbicide sprays can further reduce the losses due to weeds. The increase in current production may not be significant but it will increase the output by reducing losses. Bio-tech cotton products in market include Bollgard insect-protected cotton - Bt Cotton and Second-Generation of BT Cotton (Developed by Monsanto).
Second generation BT cotton controls insect pests, like the original Bollgard cotton, by using a different mode of action to help growers manage insect-resistance concerns. BT cotton seed has Bacillus thuringiensis which produces natural toxin and kills different types of Boll worms. This subsequently lessens the losses due to these pests.
BT crops appear to be safe for the farmers and for consumers. Additionally, the proteins produced by BT have also been used in sprays in farming techniques for many years with seemingly no ill effects on environment or human health. Thus, BT toxins are considered environmentally friendly by many farmers and may be a potential alternative to broad spectrum insecticides.
The introduction of second generation BT cotton is important in Pakistan as the first generation seeds have been planted by the farmers on their own without and guidance. This has not been that great an experience for some of them because new technology has to be brought in with stewardship, so that farmers are guided at every stage by the company which sells them the seed. Like all new technologies the companies which introduce them hold the hand of the user and guide them all the way.
Cotton production target was 14.1 million bales for 2008-09 on anticipation of favourable weather conditions and timely rains in the cotton belt. But, due to some damages to the standing crop after mealy bug attacks and other farm diseases the target was revised downward to 12.6 million bales.
Strong demand from Pakistan's textile industry is expected to consume 12.175 million bales of cotton. This gap of over three million bales would have to be met by imports - isn't that a challenge for a country which has already unmanageable trade deficit?
To narrow this gap between demand and supply of the cotton textile sector the country has to move at a fast-forward pace to introduce BT Cotton through legal and proper channel, so that the farmers are benefited by this new technology. Another factor to consider is that as the approval process of BT cotton has taken long, farmers have started importing/smuggling the BT seed.
This led to use of smuggled seed in Punjab by almost 60%. But as there was no stewardship and guidance to the farmers, this posed several serious problems. First, the pirated varieties are not developed for Pakistan's agronomic conditions and do not always perform well, especially against mealy bugs and CLCV.
Secondly, while farmers have no assurance that they are purchasing quality BT seeds, they nonetheless reduce spraying - - raising the risk of increased pest damage, particularly late in the season. Cotton from unapproved BT varieties results in reduced quality cotton which traders are reluctant to export.
Now the government has signed an agreement with Monsanto, the pioneer of BT cotton technology, to initiate collaboration in biotechnology. It is an extremely favourable development for future commercialisation of transgenic technology in Pakistan. Monsanto has already started trial production to assess the BT genes behaviour in Pakistan's soil conditions and climate.
This landmark agreement provides an opportunity to expand cotton production through the commercialisation of BT technology in Pakistan. The agreement outlines a strategy to extend co-operation in advancing transgenic technology in Pakistan's agricultural sector. Under the agreement, information and education regarding the safety and benefits of the technology will be provided to farmers.
Also, assistance will be provided to develop business models and marketing services to meet the Pakistani cotton industry's long-term strategy. Monsanto is the world Industry Leader in GM cotton seeds and this technology has given sound results in areas as diverse as India, Brazil, China and Australia. In India for example, cotton yields have increased from approximately 14 million bales in 2002-3 to more than 32 million bales by this year.
In Pakistan, Monsanto has offered to bring in the latest cotton seed technology, currently only available in USA and Australia. It also continues to consult Government, farmer associations/groups and other stakeholders for this purpose. Recently, APTMA and farmer groups invited Dr Neil Forrester to analyse the situation and he has recommended adoption of this technology ASAP.
Pakistan is the world's fourth largest cotton producer and a leading exporter of yarn. According to statistics from the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association cotton and textiles make up over 60 percent of Pakistan's total export. Last year textile exports fetched $7.5 for the country. This shows how crucial it is for the country to increase its cotton production, which in turn could lead to rise in textile exports.