'R&D essential for cotton's climate fight'

CCRI urges stakeholders to fulfil responsibilities for cotton revival

MULTAN:

Dr Muhammad Naveed Afzal, Secretary of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee and Director of the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan, has emphasised that reducing production costs and boosting per-acre yield are central to a comprehensive strategy designed to enhance farmers' prosperity, with a key focus on improving the seed sector and securing funds for cotton research and development.

He was addressing participants at a ceremony held on the occasion of World Cotton Day at the CCRI on Monday.

Afzal stated that reducing production costs and increasing per-acre yield were at the core of a comprehensive plan aimed at ensuring farmers' prosperity. He added that improving the seed sector was a top priority, and ensuring the availability of funds for research and development was also essential.

In an online address, Dr Tasawar Hussain Malik, Director of Research at the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee, stressed the importance of research and development in cotton to counter the challenges posed by climate change. He highlighted that cotton was the backbone of Pakistan's economy, and efforts were being made to advance genetic seed technology.

Modern farming methods were necessary to enhance productivity, reduce costs for farmers, and boost their income, he added. Malik also called for the government to resolve the financial difficulties of research institutions so that agricultural scientists could provide farmers with climate-resilient and pest-resistant cotton varieties.

Prominent farmer Ehsan Haq Laleka underlined the role of cotton in the economy and urged the government to prioritise funding for research institutions.