Cotton production increases 13%

Punjab’s share in total production surges 57%.

FAISALABAD:

Cotton production rose 13% to 4.72 million bales till October 15 as production in Punjab improved while Sindh’s share dropped due to rainfall and floods, according to official sources.

Punjab showed substantial improvement as its cotton production jumped 57% to 3.35 million bales during the period under review compared with 2.13 million bales in the same period last year.

“If the current pace of cotton production continues in Punjab, the province may touch the 10 million bales mark,” a cotton expert told The Express Tribune.

Meanwhile, production in Sindh declined 33% to 1.37 million bales till October 15 compared with last year’s 2.04 million bales.

Experts further said that cotton crop of Sindh will produce at least 1.5 million bales less than last year owing flooding and heavy rain falls.

“Spots of jassid, an insect that sucks the juice of plants, have considerably increased to 18.3% compared with 9.61% during the corresponding period last year,” expert added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2011.