APTMA lauds PM’s initiative to produce 15m cotton bales

Cotton is a major raw material for producing textile goods, predominantly meant for exports: APTMA

LAHORE: The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) Chairman Syed Ali Ahsan and Patron-in-Chief Gohar Ejaz have appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan for his initiative to achieve 15 million cotton bales by next year.

Cotton is a major raw material for producing textile goods, predominantly meant for exports, said Aptma chairman, adding that unfortunately, the cotton production has declined by 27%. There has been a 17% drop in area under cultivation and 12% decrease in per acre yield. Therefore, the industry had no other option but to import cotton for industry consumption, which pushed the cotton import to 3.59 million bales, worth $1.22 billion, last year.

According to Ejaz, the government should ensure low cost of inputs to cotton farmers, provide quality cotton seeds and extension for best crop management and extension without any further delay.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2018.

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