Agriculture plays a significant role in Pakistan’s economy with its direct and indirect contributions to food and industry through raw materials production. However, the country spent billions on agriculture importation in the late half of the year 2020 with its demand on wheat, sugar, palm oil, and cotton. Cotton is a substantial raw material to support the nation’s export textile industry and edible oil production and a livelihood source for millions of farming families. Moreover, it supports 8.5 percent of Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This article underlines the disturbing fall of cotton production in Pakistan compared to other producing countries applying the same irrigated agriculture system. It highlights underlying factors encompassing governance, financial, legislative, and policy concerns. Similarly, the reduction was attributed to ineffective insect and pest control and improper water usage. While the country has its Central Cotton Committee supporting cotton research institutes, financial and administrative has restricted performance and limited investment in Research & Development in the agriculture sector.
To learn more about the situation of the cotton industry and regulatory framework constraints in the country, please follow the link here: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/779813-white-gold-at-its-lowest
(Image source: Heatwave destroys one-third of cotton crop in Pakistan – Pakistan Today)
