Early cotton sowing strategy needed amidst climate change

MULTAN: Early cotton sowing is a strategy to increase cotton productivity in Pakistan by reducing costs and labour. The Punjab government has set a target of cultivating early cotton on one million acres in 2025.

The early sowing of cotton is underway in South Punjab as part of efforts to combat climate change, with a target set for cultivation on 745,000 acres. Meanwhile, the wheat crop, cultivated over 6.725 million acres in the region, is in its final growth stage.

The South Punjab Additional Chief Secretary, Fuad Hashim Rabbani, while inspecting the wheat and cotton fields in Mouza Khokhran, acknowledged that Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has laid the foundation for modern agriculture in the province, and the government is making vigorous efforts to revive cotton production in South Punjab. He directed authorities to ensure the availability of high-quality agricultural inputs at affordable prices for farmers.

Special Secretary Agriculture, Sarfaraz Khan Magsi, informed that 98.7% of the wheat cultivation target in the region has been achieved, with expectations of a bumper wheat crop. He further stated that early cotton sowing has been targeted for 745,000 acres, out of which 121,668 acres have already been cultivated.Additionally, farmers cultivating more than five acres of early cotton will receive an aid of Rs 25,000. He noted that early sowing could yield up to 50 maunds per acre of cotton.