Sajid Mahmood
Cotton plays a vital role in Pakistan’s economy, being the fifth largest cotton-producing country globally, trailing behind India, China, the USA, and Brazil according to the latest ICAC report. It serves as a crucial cash crop and is the primary raw material for the country’s textile industry. Cotton contributes 0.6% to Pakistan’s GDP and adds 1.4% value to the agriculture sector. Pakistan also ranks as the ninth largest producer of organic cotton worldwide.
Additionally, it ranks third in yarn production, second in yarn export, and third in cloth export. Pakistan’s cotton production accounts for 5% of the global total. Despite aiming for a cotton production target of 127 million bales in 2023, the actual production hardly reached only 85 million bales. Among the provinces, Punjab, Sindh, and Baluchistan contributed 42.38 million, 41.11 million, and 1.87 million bales, respectively. Pakistan’s textile industry consumes around 15 million bales of cotton annually.
Traditionally, cotton in Pakistan is typically planted from April to May 31 as summer begins. However, various challenges such as changing weather patterns, water scarcity, cotton leaf curl virus, and insect attacks have reduced the likelihood of successful cotton farming, leading to lower productivity and profitability for farmers. To address these issues and boost cotton production, there has been a growing trend in recent years of early cotton cultivation in Sindh and Punjab, particularly in February-March. Last year, farmers who planted cotton early, specifically in February-March, not only achieved higher yields per acre but also benefited from favorable cotton prices. The performance of cotton cultivated during the April-May season and the later June period was not as favorable as that of early cultivation.
This was primarily due to changes in climate, such as rising temperatures, heat waves, rainfall, and the spread of the leaf curl virus. Consequently, pests like whiteflies and pink bollworms infested the cotton plants, leading to reduced yield per acre and a decline in quality. As a result, farmers did not receive good prices for their cotton produce. It’s important to note that planting cotton during the typical season (April to May) doesn’t automatically indicate failure for the crop. In fact, seasonal cultivation can facilitate effective management, adoption of modern farming techniques, and timely utilization of resources. With guidance from agricultural experts, you can achieve successful cotton production through seasonal cultivation.
A report indicates that last year, early cotton cultivation encompassed an area exceeding 638,000 acres across both core and non-core regions of Punjab. Munawar Hussain, a progressive farmer and industrialist from Sindh, highlighted the success of early cotton cultivation in the region last year. Particularly, farmers in lower Sindh achieved high-quality cotton and received favorable prices per acre. The yield was impressive, with early-grown cotton fetching over 10,000 per maund and production reaching up to 40 maund per acre. Munawar anticipates a 25% increase in early cotton cultivation in Sindh this year compared to last year. Similarly, Punjab is also expected to see a rise in cotton cultivation this year.
Currently, it’s crucial to prioritize the cotton crop and textile sector to bolster Pakistan’s fragile economy. The federal government must promptly announce the support price for cotton prior to planting and ensure its enforcement.
Unfortunately, last year, farmers didn’t receive compensation according to the government’s announced support price, leading to widespread uncertainty and frustration among cotton farmers.
The moderate temperatures in February-March offer protection to the cotton crop against climatic adversities like extreme heat and monsoon rains, as well as pests such as whiteflies and pink bollworms. This not only boosts production per acre but also reduces production costs and enhances market prices due to improved quality. After the winter season, soil moisture levels tend to replenish, creating optimal conditions for cotton seed germination and early plant growth.
This natural moisture retention saves considerable water. Implementing cotton sowing in February-March in Pakistan seems to offer a viable solution to the challenges encountered by farmers and stakeholders in the cotton industry. To further enhance its success, supportive policies, extension services, and capacity-building initiatives are essential. This can be achieved through farmer training and awareness programs, the adoption of modern farming practices, and the transfer of technology.
Based on observations from last year, it’s clear that single, double, and triple-gene varieties of cotton have proven successful for early cultivation. With proper management, cotton farmers can easily achieve a yield of 40 maunds per acre. To maximize production from early cotton, it’s crucial for farmers to cultivate only approved varieties recommended by the Central Cotton Research Institute Multan and Punjab Agriculture Department. Non-approved varieties are more susceptible to attacks by harmful insects and diseases, leading to lower yields. Recommended varieties such as BTCIM 775, BTCIM343, BTCIM663, BTCyto537, BTCyto511, FH333, HATAF3, CKC1, CKC3, CKC5, CK C6, Ghori 2, Badar1 and ICI 386 should be cultivated from February to March 31. According to cotton experts at the Central Cotton Research Institute in Multan, farmers should follow specific guidelines for optimal cotton planting.
These guidelines include planting early on raised beds, maintaining a distance of 9 to 12 inches between plants, keeping row distances at 2.5 feet, and ensuring a density of 17 to 23 thousand plants per acre. The farmers should keep a seed quantity of 8 to 10 kg per acre for cultivation on beds and furrows. Before early planting, it’s recommended that farmers treat their seeds with the fungicide mefenoxam fludioxonil+azoxystrobin, which is commonly sold under the name Dynasty.
The application rate should be 2 to 3 ml/kg of seed, diluted with 25 ml of water per unit. This treatment helps protect the cotton crop from insect attacks during the initial 30 days of growth. Overall, planting cotton in February and March in Pakistan presents an opportunity for farmers to capitalize on favorable weather conditions, leading to improved productivity and increased profitability.
