ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a seminar here said that disconnect between Research and agriculture practices, high input cost and implementation of policy decision were major impediments in promoting the cotton industry of Pakistan.
Speaking at a seminar titled, “Need for Revolutionizing the Cotton Industry in Pakistan,” held here, they urged that cotton and textile sector has vital importance in the economy of Pakistan, so efforts should be made to promote it for the economic development and progress.
The seminar was organized by Center for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS) with an aim to invite input from all the stakeholders for the promotion of cotton sector of the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Senior Advisor Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Malik Zahoor Ahmed, said that although the figures of cotton sector were depicting a rosy picture, however there was huge disconnect between facts and reality.
He said that there was disconnect between the kind of research conducted by agricultural scientists and the agriculture techniques utilized by the farmers in their fields.
He said that there was dire need to put the research on modern lines, saying that for achieving the objective of economic development, the research had to be taken to the door steps of the farmers.
Zahoor was of the view that the research that was of no interest of farmers was futile and the scientists should think over it and produce quality research.
“Unless a farmer buys your research, it won’t be fruitful and if the farmer does not buy it, think there is problem in research you have done,” he told the scientists.
Speaking on the occasion, Ali Pervaiz Malik, who was representing All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Punjab highlighted many areas which need improvement for development of cotton sector.
He highlighted the issue of competitiveness saying that high gas and electricity rates and input costs were increasing cost of production and despite the GSP Plus status granted to Pakistan by European Union, the textile export potential could not be tapped fully.
He said that the textile exports of Pakistan dropped by 10 percent while there had been increase in textile exports of all regional countries.
He highlighted the importance of restructuring this industry to make it competitive in international market, saying that despite challenges, the export share of textile has increased from 55 percent to 62 percent.
Chairman, CGSS, Lt. Gen (Retd), Muhamamd Zahir-ul-Islam said the cotton and textile sector of the country was facing challenges, expressing the hope that the participants of seminar would come out with solutions to develop this particular sector, which has vital role in country’s economy.
Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Dr. Yusuf Zafar said that Pakistan was importing cotton from India which was counterproductive and harmful for local farmers. He also stressed the need for improving ginning sector.
Cotton Commissioner Ministry of Textile, Dr. Khalid Abdullah while speaking on the occasion said cotton had considerable contribution in rural economy, stressing the need for improving cost-effective cotton production to make it competitive in the market.
Other agriculture experts including Dr. Irfan Baig, Dean Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture (MNSUA) Multan, Former Chairman Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the pressing issued faced by this particular industry.
