Pakistan’s cotton industry faces crisis in 2024, cultivation falls short

In 2024, Pakistan's cotton industry faced a major crisis, with cultivation falling significantly short of targets. Sajid Mahmood, Head of Technology Transfer at the Central Cotton Research Institute in Multan, revealed the target for cotton cultivation was set at 3.118 million hectares, but only 1.974 million hectares were planted, which was 63 per cent of the goal.

Farmers encountered multiple challenges, including climate change, poor seed quality, and pest infestations. Mahmood explained that unusually low temperatures hindered seed germination, while extreme heatwaves and unexpected rainfall in June and July further damaged crops, drastically reducing production.

The shortfall was evident across all provinces. Punjab saw cotton planted on 1.304 million hectares, reaching 78 per cent of the target, while Sindh achieved 87 per cent of its goal. However, both provinces reported a decline in production compared to the previous year.

Mahmood stressed the need for urgent reforms, including adopting modern agricultural technologies, ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds, and improving pest management. He also emphasized the importance of addressing climate change and integrating strategic planning into agricultural policies.