Baloch scientist develops salt-tolerant cotton in China

Research could help Pakistan cultivate marginal land, boost organic cotton production

ANYANG:

A Balochistan-born postdoctoral scientist has spent the past four years researching how cotton can withstand salt stress at a Chinese cotton research lab in Anyang, Henan province, a threat all too familiar to farmers back home.

As a mainstay of Pakistan's economy, cotton accounts for more than 60% of the nation's export earnings and provides a livelihood for millions of farming families. Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province, lies outside the traditional cotton belt, yet it has carved a niche as the country's pioneer in globally certified organic cotton production.

Dr Noor Muhammad's research at the Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences holds the potential to accelerate this momentum by developing salt-tolerant cotton varieties, enabling cultivation on marginal land currently unsuitable for cultivation.

His research employs advanced techniques including gene expression analysis, enzymatic studies and bioinformatics to understand plant stress responses and develop more resilient crop varieties.

Dr Noor's journey in China began in 2017, when he moved to Southwest University of Science and Technology in Mianyang, Sichuan, to pursue a Master's degree in Life Sciences, followed by a PhD in Plant Biology and Agronomy. During his nine years living and conducting research in China, he gained not only academic expertise but also a deep appreciation of the country's agricultural innovations and culture.

He contends that Chinese agricultural technologies could provide practical remedies in view of China's substantial investment in combating climate change, which poses a grave threat to Pakistan's farming sector.

"Water management is critical," he says, pointing to China's drip irrigation under plastic mulch, which saves 30 to 50% of water and has revolutionised cotton production in Xinjiang. He also highlights the potential of salt-tolerant and drought-tolerant crop varieties, protected cultivation and greenhouse technology, digital agriculture and e-commerce platforms and agricultural mechanisation.

Concerning mechanisation, he notes that China has nearly fully mechanised cotton harvesting, and affordable Chinese machinery for planting, spraying and harvesting could significantly enhance productivity.

Seeing CPEC 2.0 as a critical opening for Balochistan, where agricultural modernisation is taking centre stage, he is now seeking partnerships to transfer knowledge, technology and germplasm.

His long-term goal is to advance food security, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in Balochistan through evidence-based agricultural practices. Among the approaches he highlighted is China's "science and technology backyard" model, a tripartite framework that integrates agricultural research, postgraduate training and rural development services. He believes the model could be adapted to Pakistan to bridge the gap between scientists and farmers.