Multan, Nov 18th: The cotton production in the country witnessed an alarming decline of 28,30,142 bales, according to a report released by Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association. The report says that at least 40,27,376 bales were produced in the country which is 41.27 per cent less as compared to more than 6.857 million bales produced till November 15 last year.
According to the statistics released by Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association till November 15 local textile mills bought more than 31,24,851 bales which is around 40.56 per cent less as compared to the last year buying of more than 5.2 million bales during this period. The ginners had the stock of 8,81,925 bales which is 43.20 per cent less as compared to the last year stock of more than 1.5 million bales. Punjab province has produced 21,51,648 bales which is 41.72 per cent less than last year when Punjab produced 36,92,205 bales. Similarly, Sindh Province produced 18,75,728 bales which 40.74 per cent less than last year when Sindh produced 31,65,313 bales.It is stated that as per the statistics of the report this year 5.5 million bales will be produced in the country adding that around 7 million bales will have to be imported to fulfil the demand of the local industry. PCGA stated that 520 ginning factories are operation in the country.Of them 327 in Punjab and 193 in Sindh.
Chairman Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association, Dr Jaso Mall Limani and Senior Vice Chairman Malik Tufail Ahmed said that major reasons, behind low production of cotton this year is non-availability of good quality seeds, substandard pesticides and to some extent climate change. They warned that Cotton ginning industry would be totally collapsed if Government does not take measures to make Pakistan self-sufficient in cotton.PCGA Leaders appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan, and federal ministers and heads of institutions to constitute a cotton board at the national level immediately and all stakeholders be included in this board to get positive results..They further said that the Government should announce a viable and feasible cotton policy to protect the interests and rights of growers, ginners, spinners, textile owners,and othersd. Jaso Mal also said that he talked to Federal Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar and Federal Minister for National Food Security Syed Fakhir Imam regarding the alarming decline in the cotton production. Both the ministers assured that they will play their role regarding giving incentives to the farmers. They also assured that import duty on pesticides will be reduced. Dr Jaso Mal stressed on the need of introducing efficient technology and called for ensuring the availability of quality seeds and good quality pesticides. He said regarding the alarmingly low cotton production the government should take the matter seriously. He also said that the government should take steps on war footings and in right direction to increase the cotton production.
Textile exporters have urged the government to abolish customs and regulatory duties on the import of cotton yarn, citing that apparel and home textile sectors are facing shortage of basic raw material, which may lead to a drastic decline in textile exports.
A huge number of export orders are being received by the value-added knitwear industry, however, exporters are unable to finalise them due to unavailability of cotton yarn at competitive prices in the country.
It was stated by Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) Zonal Chairman Faisal Mehboob Sheikh and Chief Coordinator Adil Butt in a joint statement on Friday.
Sheikh requested the government to remove restrictions on duty-free import of cotton yarn from all neighbouring countries in order to encourage exporters to compete in the international market.
“Our value-added knitwear sector is facing immense pressure from high cost of doing business, rising utility rates and several other problems,” he said.
Sheikh lamented that a huge number of weaving units had already closed down and higher prices coupled with unavailability of cotton yarn would damage value-added textile exports, which would result in closure of a large number of export-oriented units.
He stressed the need for amending rules, simplifying tax laws and automating business processes to steer transparency in the system to facilitate small and medium businesses in the value-added knitwear industry in a bid to boost exports. He called for implementing the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan in a true spirit by simplifying export schemes.
