Increase recorded in early cotton sowing

MULTAN:

Punjab's cotton cultivation season for 2025-26 has begun with encouraging signs, particularly in southern parts of the province where early sowing continues gaining momentum despite regional variations.

According to Crop Reporting Service early sowing has been completed on 842,000 acres across the province till April 8 that accounts for 84 per cent of the set target of one million acres.

This year, the provincial agriculture department had earmarked a target of one acre for early sowing, recognizing its pivotal role in improving cotton yields, protecting crops from pests and maximizing profits for farmers.

South Punjab leads in progress with over 85 percent of the intended coverage with l districts like Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan showing varying degrees of performance.

Multan stands out with an impressive over 90 percent sowing rate, followed by Bahawalpur at 80 percent and Dera Ghazi Khan at 75 percent. The strong performance in these districts is attributed to favorable temperatures and better awareness among farmers about benefits of early cultivation.

However, situation in northern districts of the province is sluggish due to varying weather conditions, water availability issues and lesser focus on cotton as a major cash crop.

"The season witnessed a significant increase in early sowing of cotton," said Iftikhar Ali Sahu, Secretary Agriculture Punjab. "Special incentive package announced by Chief Minsiter Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif for early cotton sowing had encouraged farmers."

Sahu said under the Agriculture Department Punjab, a timely awareness campaign was launched across six divisions to promote early sowing, resulting in the completion of sowing on more than 800,000 acre.

"The area brought under early cotton sowing is double than last year. All farmers engaged in early cotton sowing have been registered and the record of growers has also been validated by third party," he stated.