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| Khawaja Muhammad Azam |
Low profitability in cotton is a major cause of the decline in the cultivation area of the crop in the country. There were multiple reasons for the decline in the total cultivation area of cotton. Ten years ago, the cotton crop was cultivated at an area of 3.2 million hectares in the country, which now declined to 2.5 million acres. Farmers were forced to shift their focus on other crops including maize, rice, and sugarcane. The total requirement of cotton for the local textile industry is not less than 14 million bales. Pakistan is capable to produce 15 to 20 million bales of cotton .
In 1991-1992 the Pakistan Cotton Crop was at 12 Million per Annum and INDIA was at 11 Million bales per Annum. Now after 28/years, we are on 7.5 Million and INDIA have gone to 38 Million. The reason behind the reduction in production is as follows: - in my view
1) No new variety and successful cottonseed have been produced by breeders which are capable to meet changing weather condition, changing of crop pattern, and new pesticides challenges.
2) Punjab Seed Corporation was supposed to be the best organization that produced for 4-4.5 Lacs of bags of Certified Cotton Seed with the best germination which can fulfill 50% of the required seed needs. This organization is gone near to grave due to reasons not known to us.
3) In the decade 1991-2000 BT Cotton was introduced in the world. In Pakistan, this variety came illegally and its cycle was 5 to 7 years. Here it has gone more then 20/years and has lost resistance against pest. It is also a big reason for the decline in cotton production.
4) For last many years, sugar mafia is behind cotton and they have imposed from the government many taxes and hurdles that can help to reduce cotton production. At least 7 to 8 taxes have to be paid by Ginner which is not in other crops; this all amount goes from the pocket of the growers.
Most of people make their own seed for sowing but they have no facilities to check the generation purity and etc. Only they cultivate and come to know that their crop is not grown.
SUGGESTION FOR Revivals:
1) Research institutes should be pressurized by Government to make new varieties that should be capable of facing Weather changes, Rain & heat resistance, and water stress. The varieties should meet the requirement of Textile Industries by good testing and production.
2) Some old breeders who invented(developed) very successful varieties of cotton in past should be facilitated and give them big prizes of at least 100 million, 75 Million and 50 Million for 1st,2nd, 3rd winners who are successful and qualify for his best new seed variety on commercials large scale basis.
3) Punjab Seed Corporation should be revived and given target to make 5 lac bags of certified cotton seed for sale to growers.
I suggest that the next five years should be declared cotton year for Pakistan and all taxes, locally, provincially, centrally should be suspended to get the target of 20 million bales per year.
I suggest grower shall be facilitated to get their sowing seed sample tested before sowing by the central seed department. This service should be given by any courier services. So they can pick up result at their doorstep within a week. This will help to avoid sowing again and again in his land.
From Cotton, we get lint for textile which is the major industry in which heavy investment and maximum jobs are created. From Cotton Seed, we get edible oil and animal fodder.
Last year 10% Sales Tax was imposed on Lint Cotton which has destroyed the whole Cotton Chain Mills and has not liquidity, Ginners and growers billion of rupees are struck with textiles. It is proposed that Lint Cotton should be made Zero Rated again.
One this we have ignored that Cotton Sticks for burning make 8/tons per acre with total of 8 Crore/ tons which saves import of fuel and Billions of Dollars.
“For motivation of Cotton Grower gift in the shape of Tractors, Agriculture implement shall be given to grower who gets a maximum yield of Cotton in all districts as it is done in wheat.
If these steps are taken, I hope we can get 2 Crore bales which cost become $7 Billion (USD), and if converted to fiber and Fabrics, it would become an amount of $20 Billion (USD). As Pakistan is facing water problems, the cotton crop is the only crop, which consumes less 20% water than sugar cane”.
you may contact the author. Azam11@live.com
