How Textile Sector can be Revived by Restoring Cotton Production?

Pakistan is the fifth largest cotton producer globally. Recent floods and droughts in the country have adversely affected cotton production, and government have to import 5 million bales from other countries. As per the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, crop production is likely to reach 48% from 2011 to 2020-21 if these unforeseen events won’t happen. All the successive governments claimed that they would prioritise cotton crop production, but sugar mills kept popping up or shifting from other areas to Southern Punjab.

There is a massive rise in sugar cane production at the cost of reducing cotton crop arable area. On the other hand, the country’s agricultural fields are concentrated on biotechnology cotton, which could only survive in a moderate environment with lower pest infestations and never intended for subtropical climates like in Pakistan and India. Additionally, the government didn’t suggest solutions to protect fields from Pink Boll Warm and other sucking insects. Cotton crop is year-long crop cultivation with a lack of strategies and planning, insects stay in the field for the whole year.

The textile sector is the primary consumer of cotton production. It was estimated that Pakistan’s textile export declined by 19 % in November 2022. To increase cotton crop production, it is imperative to introduce transgenic varieties that could be key in battling pests, weeds, and climate. The government should invest in climate-smart agriculture to improve farm practices and make fields more sustainable and resilient. Moreover, the government has to support the farmer to improve the seed quality by carrying out fungicide, insecticide, and nematicide seed treatment before planting to protect your crop and enhance yields. Farmers must be encouraged to rotate herbicides, fungicides and insecticides to protect the crop from disease risk. Moreover, to ensure adequate moisture level and carry out crop watering according to the cotton growing region. Avoid excess irrigation to prevent the plant from delayed maturity. Perform irrigation at the right stage of cotton development.