NewKerala.com

Pakistan's Cotton Crisis Deepens Amid Seed Scandals and Policy Failures

Experts at a Sindh Agriculture University conference have issued an urgent call for collective action to save Pakistan's declining cotton sector. The crisis is driven by climate change, high input costs, and critically, the widespread use of counterfeit and substandard seeds. Stakeholders criticized inconsistent government policies and a lack of reliable data, which push farmers toward other crops. While Pakistani institutions work on new seed varieties, a Chinese expert highlighted ongoing collaborative research to develop improved cotton seeds.

Key Points: Pakistan Cotton Crisis: Seed Quality, Policy Failures Threaten Crop

  • Substandard seeds central to crisis
  • Climate change and high costs hit yields
  • Inconsistent policies and lack of data faulted
  • China-Pakistan collaboration on new seeds
2 min read

Pakistan's cotton crisis deepens amid policy failures and seed quality concerns

Experts warn Pakistan's cotton sector is collapsing due to fake seeds, climate change, and poor policies, urging urgent collective action to save the key crop.

"Pakistan has struggled to produce certified, climate-resilient seed varieties despite being highly vulnerable to climate impacts. - Dr Mahboob Ali Sial"

Sindh, April 17

As Pakistan's cotton sector faces a steady decline, experts have urged urgent collective action to prevent further deterioration of one of the country's key cash crops. The call came during a conference hosted by the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics at Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, where stakeholders highlighted systemic issues plaguing the industry, as reported by The Express Tribune.

According to The Express Tribune, participants pointed to multiple factors behind falling yields, including climate change, outdated seed technologies, rising input costs, volatile market prices, and high fuel expenses. However, the widespread use of substandard and counterfeit seeds emerged as a central concern.

Dr Mahboob Ali Sial, Director of the Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), emphasised that Pakistan has struggled to produce certified, climate-resilient seed varieties despite being highly vulnerable to climate impacts. He noted that research institutions and plant breeders must take greater responsibility in addressing this gap. He added that the NIA is currently working on developing 41 seed varieties aimed at improving resilience and productivity.

Echoing similar concerns, Sindh Abadgar Board Senior Vice President Syed Nadeem Shah highlighted additional challenges such as the misuse of fertilisers and the prevalence of ineffective pesticides. These issues, he said, have not only reduced yields but also pushed farmers to shift to alternative crops. Shah criticised inconsistent agricultural policies and the absence of reliable data, arguing that these structural weaknesses have accelerated the sector's decline. He proposed establishing a breeders' advisory board to coordinate efforts among stakeholders, as cited by The Express Tribune.

Meanwhile, an agricultural expert from China, Wang Xin Chen, shared that collaborative efforts are underway between Chinese researchers, Pakistan's private sector, and local institutions to develop improved seed varieties for cotton and other crops, as reported by The Express Tribune.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Very sad for the farmers there. Counterfeit seeds are a curse. We've had similar issues in some parts of India, but strict regulations and better extension services have helped. The mention of Chinese collaboration is interesting 🤔. Will they develop seeds suited for that region's climate?
A
Aman W
The article misses a key point: water management. Cotton is a thirsty crop, and with climate change, both India and Pakistan face water scarcity. Maybe the focus should shift to less water-intensive crops? Just a thought.
S
Sarah B
As someone who follows global agriculture, the data gap mentioned is critical. You can't manage what you don't measure. India's digital push in agri (like e-NAM) has its flaws, but at least attempts to bring transparency. Hope they find a solution soon.
K
Karthik V
Our textile industry imports a lot of cotton. If Pakistan's production falls further, it might affect global prices and our imports too. It's not just their problem; it has economic ripple effects. The proposed breeders' advisory board sounds like a good first step.
N
Nidhi U
The plight of the farmer is universal. Misuse of fertilisers and fake pesticides ruin lives. We must learn from each other's challenges. Maybe Indian agricultural universities can share some best practices? After all, helping a neighbor's agriculture can lead to better regional stability. 🌱

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50