MULTAN: Pakistan’s agriculture sector is grappling with a significant setback as the cotton cultivation target has fallen short by 21 percent, posing potential challenges for the textile industry and rural livelihoods. Cotton, a crucial crop in Pakistan, not only contributes substantially to exports but also supports the incomes of millions, including laborers in the textile industry and women in rural areas who rely on cotton picking for their livelihoods.
Official sources reveal that North Punjab missed its cotton cultivation target by 26.8 percent, with Sargodha and Faisalabad divisions achieving only 71 percent and 87 percent of their respective goals. Similarly, South Punjab, traditionally known as a cotton hub, also faced a shortfall of 21 percent. Multan, DG Khan, and Bahawalpur divisions within South Punjab achieved 73 percent, 61 percent, and 87 percent of their targets, respectively.
The textile sector, heavily reliant on locally produced cotton, may face supply chain disruptions and cost pressures due to reduced cotton availability. This sector remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy, supporting millions of jobs and a substantial portion of the country’s export revenues.
Secretary Agriculture South Punjab, Saqib Ateel, attributed the shortfall in cotton sowing area to adverse weather conditions exacerbated by climate change. He emphasized that timely availability of agriculture fields in April could have enabled the department to meet its targets, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve cotton production despite challenges.
Farmers and experts also cite rising input costs such as seeds, fertilizers, electricity tariffs, and pesticides as major deterrents to investing in cotton cultivation. Sajjad, a progressive farmer from Vehari, noted that delays in the cotton sowing campaign further contributed to the reduced sowing area.
Enhanced coordination between agriculture department officials and farmers is seen as crucial to improving planning and support mechanisms for future cultivation seasons, aiming to mitigate the impacts of such setbacks in the agricultural sector.
