CCAC Held Its Fourth Meeting to Assess The 2013-14 Crop Situation

The Cotton Crop Assessment Committee (CCAC) held its fourth meeting to assess the 2013-14 crop situation, under the chairmanship of Ms. Rukhsana Shah, Federal Secretary, Textile Industry Division.

Based on the information provided by the Cotton Commissioner and representatives of provincial governments, the CCAC estimated the total 2013-14 cotton crop in the country at 12.336 million bales of 170 kg each, according to a press release from the Ministry of Commerce and Textile Industry.

The province of Punjab is expected to contribute 8.866 million bales of cotton this season, while Sindh is likely to produce 3.362 million bales of cotton, the CCAC estimated. Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also likely to produce few bales of cotton.

The latest cotton estimate of 12.336 million bales is higher than the 11.955 million bales of cotton crop estimated by the CCAC at its third meeting earlier this year.

Giving an overview of cotton crop production in the country, Cotton Commissioner Dr. Khalid Abdullah said low availability of irrigation water at the time of sowing, problems of low germination of seed and its poor quality, flood damage and attack of cotton pests were the challenges faced by the cotton crop this season.

He disclosed that Punjab Seed Council, in its meeting held last month, has approved 15 varieties for general cultivation in crop season 2014-15. He further stated that Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) has conducted experiments on Long and Extra Long Staple cotton varieties in Sindh and Balochistan provinces which have produced promising results, and hoped the long staple and extra long staple varieties will be released soon for general cultivation.

Representatives of the Government of Punjab Department of Crop Reporting Services informed that during 2013-14, cotton crop was planted on an area of 5.29 million acres against the target of 6 million acres, showing 11 percent decrease from target and 7.27 percent decrease from the last year's area sown.

It was also informed that rain and floods further damaged 118,000 acres. Decrease in sowing was mainly attributed to the lower prices of seed cotton during last two-three years and farmers' preference towards crops like maize, sugarcane and rice due to monetary advantages over cotton.

Representative of Government of Sindh stated that 1,419,656 acres was sown against 1,606,215 acres during last year depicting 13 percent decrease in sowing.

Ms. Rukhsana Shah emphasized the need for strengthening of cotton grading and standardization system and stressed upon PCGA for volunteering the Grading Fee @ Pk Rs. 5 per bale.

She also stressed on a proactive role of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) to ensure premium price for production of quality cotton.