The textile industry has termed the government’s lack of focus to enhance cotton yield, to support the entire value added textile chain, highly shocking and deplorable. It also revealed that cotton yield dropped by about 20.95% to 551 kg per hectare in 2019-20. It is crucial for the government to take all practical steps to enhance national cotton produce to meet targets set for enhancement of textile exports in the Strategic Trade Policy Framework, he said. He urged the government to take immediate notice of provision of sub-standard cotton seeds to farmers by the suppliers and called for strict action against them. Genetically modified organism (GMO) cotton seed should be considered for Pakistan similar to how India allowed it after assessing pros and cons.

Source: The Express Tribune October 25, 2020 03:32 UTC