Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting on Thursday to review the reasons for shortfall in cotton production and also to devise short and medium term plans for increasing production. The Minister expressed concern that shortfall in cotton crop this year has eroded GDP growth rate for the year by 0.5 percent. He urged the relevant government organisations to investigate reasons for shortfall in production of cotton and to co-ordinate efforts for a comprehensive roadmap for achieving higher cotton production in future.
Known International Expert Neil Foster made a detailed presentation on the cotton production potential of Pakistan. He was of the view that Pakistan has potential to achieve production level of 20 million bales. He highlighted five major irritants in realising the potential of cotton production in Pakistan. These include quality of seed, disease, pests, weed and water. He urged the Government to take necessary steps to remove these irritants and put in place regulatory mechanism and legal framework for seed production and dissemination. Increasing yield was key to achieve higher level of production.
Finance Minister advised all concerned to ensure implementation and early enactment of Plant Breeders Rights Act and formulate further amendments in Seed Act to encourage private sector to enter the industry. He also directed Ministry of National Food Security and Research to revitalise the Directorate of Plant Protection to ensure supply of quality pesticides in the cotton growing areas.
He also directed Ministry of Climate Change to strengthen the National Bio-safety Committee and its secretariat. The Provincial Governments were advised to swiftly implement their plans to constitute Pink Bollworm Strike force well in time to ensure plant protection.
The meeting was attended by Secretaries of Ministries of Finance, Climate Change, Textile Industry, Commerce, Industries & Production, National Food Security and Research. In addition, the high officials of Agriculture Departments, Government of Punjab and Sindh and experts from private sectors participated.