Cotton production in Sahiwal division has experienced a remarkable upswing, with a 23 percent increase compared to the previous year.
In the previous season, 137,000 bales were harvested, but this year has witnessed an impressive surge, with 179,000 bales produced, and of these, 116,734 bales have made their way to ginning factories.
This boost in cotton production can be attributed to several key factors. Effective crop management, favorable environmental conditions, timely guidance from the agriculture department, a proactive response from growers, and fewer incidents of insect pests during the early stages of crop growth have all played a significant role in this successful harvest.
The Agriculture Department reported that cotton was cultivated across 106,000 acres, and cotton farmers have received commendable rates for their crop, with market prices ranging from Rs8,500 to Rs9,000 per maunds.
Despite the overall success, recent flooding in River Satluj has affected 1,000 acres in district Pakpattan, preventing the total production from reaching even higher levels. Cotton growers in Pakpattan are appealing to the Punjab government for compensation to cover the damages caused by the flooding.
In response to the increasing demand for urea fertilizer, the Divisional Cotton Assessment Committee discussed the shortage of urea fertilizer in Sahiwal division. Growers are in need of 950,000 bags of 50 kg urea fertilizer in the next 30 days alone.
Commissioner Shoaib Iqbal has directed the agriculture department to compile an accurate estimate of urea utilization for the upcoming three months. This information will assist the divisional administration in formulating a comprehensive supply plan for both urea and DAP fertilizers.
Over the past few decades, Pakistan’s cotton production has