" Agriculture sector is a panacea of all economic ills in Pakistan " Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi

MULTAN, " Agriculture sector is a panacea  of all economic ills in Pakistan " and it can make Pakistan strongest and prosperous by  increasing production of Cotton, Wheat, oil-seeds, Maize, pulses etc .The cotton crop has a special significance in the economy of Pakistan. But sadly, for the last several years, the production of cotton has been dwindling down. These views were expressed by a progressive farmer, renowned industrialist and former president of chambers of commerce and industry Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi while talking to senior journalists here today.Though , every Government has taken steps to increase the production of cotton yet no positive and promising results  emerged that can meet the needs of the country's textile industry.

Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi said that at one hand the business volume has been doubede during the last ten years,but cotton production decreased .Consequenlty  Pakistan has to import cotton worth billions of rupees . The situation at the moment is that we are going to borrow $ 6.5 billion from the IMF on its crucial conditions. What pity that we have to spend Rs. 8 billion a year on cotton import .Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi said that there is a dire need for providing incentives, motivations, concessions in the form of seeds,farm inputs, water and electricity to the farmers on affordable price . If the current trend continues, the pressure on the economy will continue to grow and we would be compelled to get more debts  Roomi suggested that there is a need to immediately announce the support price of cotton growers like other produces like sugarcane, wheat and other commodities.This step will surely help in bringing maximum area under cotton crop to achieve the targets of cotton production. Khawaja Muhammad Jalaluddin Roomi further said that the price of raw-cotton  (Phutti)should be fixed at Rs. 7,000/-per 40 kg immediately. Roomi said that  textile sector should also support the cotton growers to get qualitative and non-contaminated cotton. 

He said that sufficient water supply must be ensured to the cotton growers on emergency basis at present so that better results of the crop could be emerged.

 He said that the support price of cotton should be announced well in time every year in consultation with all stakeholders. So that the area under cotton can be increased gradually.

Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi said that Government should ensure the availability of well germinated, certified , heat resistant and hybrid seed through Monsanto or any other company. He suggested an effective crackdown against the producer, sellers and dealers of spurious seeds. Similar action is required against  counterfeit pesticides .

Khawaja Muhammad Jalaluddin Roomi said that Pakistan was an exporter of cotton in the past, but  now it is importing cotton worth more than four billion dollars. He said that We need to stand our farmer back on his feet and bring him back to cotton. For which we have to provide maximum facilities. Similarly, the subsidy being provided to the farmers in fertilizers is not reaching them properly. Therefore,he suggested that Government should provide financial assistance in the shape of hard-cash so that they could meet their requirements easily.The cotton picking women earn more than Rs. 1.5 billion every year and they contribute improving rural economy.

 Khawaja Muhammad Jalaluddin Roomi considered the Cotton Research Institute as a white elephant which did not evolve any cotton variety which could be saved from  Pink Bollworm, white fly, "Taila " and rapidly changing climatic effects .He stressed the need for overhauling the entire research system and allocation of maximum funds for this purpose to achieve the objective of 20 million bales of cotton. He said that special privileges, incentives should be given to those who are conducting research and evolving new varieties . 

 Similarly, complete audit of Seed Corporation is necessary to purge it of corruption. because it wasted huge funds but its performance is zero.He furthe suggested that Government should recruit young agricultural scientists to bring a revolution in seed sector.

Leading industrialist Jalaluddin Roomi identified another important problem and said that cotton crop was destroyed by violating the zoning restrictions . It was a blunder mistake to cultivate sugarcane in cotton zone and allow to establish sugar mills. 

He requested the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister to launch an emergency cotton boosting program to make Pakistan self sufficiemt in cotton and to strengthen the farmers. Due to the changing  climatic conditions, the cotton fiber/staple grown  may be larger and the crop may be higher. He was of the view that climate of Balochistan is favourable for cotton crop and we can produce at least one million bales of cotton in  this province 

 Khawaja Muhammad Jalaluddin Roomi said that the government should take steps to provide quality seeds. 40% of labour is related to textile sector while 90% of exports are related to textile sector. In the past, due to the cooperation of the government, the spinning mills got a boost. Now the priorities have to be changed to promote the value added sector  Garments and readymade garments have to be included in the priorities.

 Similarly, APTMA and other sectors should pay cotton cess arrears and they should make  regular payments.He further said that the government should also give targets to research institutes by providing matching grants. But the result was zero. Now is the time. Research institutes and agricultural universities should be activated.

 Former President Chambers of Commerce and Industry Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan Khawaja Jalaluddin Rumi said that the office bearers of APTMA are bound to buy all kinds of cotton and they should patronise and motivate the farmers to produce good quality cotton  of long staple.