Vehari achieves 90% cotton target

VEHARI:

The district has achieved 90 per cent of its cotton cultivation target.

The first cotton picking is under way, with yields ranging between eight and 12 maunds per acre. Seasonal cotton harvesting is expected to begin by the end of August.

Officials said the expansion of maize and other crops on traditional cotton-growing land affected efforts to achieve the cultivation target.

During a meeting, the deputy commissioner directed the agriculture department to prepare a comparative report analysing the factors behind the shortfall against data from the past three years.

The participants were informed that cotton prices are linked to international market trends, fertiliser supplies remain adequate, and no major pest attacks have been reported so far.

Agriculture department field staff have launched an awareness campaign at the village level to encourage cotton cultivation.

A detailed review of cultivation and production in the district was carried out in the Cotton Crop Management Committee meeting presided over by Deputy Commissioner Khalid Javed Goraya.