We may not have to import cotton, said Murtaza Wahab, the Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister, in Karachi yesterday while defending the provincial government’s decision to offer a better price to farmers for wheat than the federal government. Over the last 10 years, cotton output in Pakistan has gradually decreased to a mere 8.5 million bales, leaving a big gap between demand and supply, and the shortfall is met through import. This year, the country is expected to produce not more than six million bales. The gradual decrease in cotton output has resulted in closure of 700 ginning factories, causing large-scale loss of jobs. Experts say the main reason for the drastic decline in cotton production is lack of quality seeds.

Source: The Express Tribune November 06, 2020 08:15 UTC