Signing Ceremony for Cotton Cooperation
A signing ceremony “commitment of cooperation” was held today at the Civil Secretariat Lahore between Agriculture Department, Punjab, and Better Cotton Initiative, Pakistan. Under this agreement, they will take steps for better management of cotton under the joint strategy to increase per acre yield of cotton and also to improve the quality of yarn. Secretary Agriculture, Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Director General Agriculture (Extension) Dr. Anjum Ali, Senior Advisor Better Cotton Initiative, Pakistan Dr. Muhammad Shafiq, Chief Planning and Evaluation Cell Rana Mahmood Akhtar, Director Agricultural Information, Punjab Muhammad Rafiq Akhtar and other officers and Stakeholders participated.
Speaking at the event, Secretary of Agriculture, Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said that the economic development of Pakistan is related to cotton. Punjab province accounts for nearly 70 percent of the country’s total cotton production. This year, due to the special interest of the Present Government, more than 4.6 million acres of area has been brought under cotton cultivation.
After many years and the agriculture department is working closely with the farmers to achieve production target. The revival of cotton is a big challenge, for which, all stakeholders have to work together. He further said that this agreement between Agriculture Department and Better Cotton Initiative, Pakistan will prove to be an important milestone for the growth and sustainability of cotton. The joint strategy and technical guidance of both stakeholders will lead to better management of cotton. It will not only increase per acre yield but also improve the quality of cotton.
The Impact of Climate Change on Cotton Production in Punjab
The impact of Climate Change on Cotton Production in Punjab has a profound effect. There is a need to discover new cotton varieties that can tolerate high heat and water deficits. On this occasion, Director General Agriculture (Extension) Dr. Anjum Ali said that this agreement will provide better technical guidance to farmers under a comprehensive strategy for higher production of cotton. He further said that disproportionate use of fertilizers in cotton crops by 28%, water shortage by 51%, weeds by 52%, and attack of harmful insects by 36%. It lead to a reduction in production and to control these problems, now both stakeholders will work side by side.
On this occasion, Senior Advisor, Better Cotton Initiative, Pakistan Dr. Muhammad Shafiq said that Pakistan has the 5th position in cotton production at the international level. And it accounts for 55 percent of the foreign exchange. Better Cotton Initiative, Pakistan will provide possible support for the implementation of the action plan of the Agriculture Department for the growth and sustainability of cotton in the province. It provide facilities for all activities of agricultural extension workers for the technical guidance of cotton farmers.
