The provincial agriculture departments of Punjab and Sindh are set to submit survey reports on the recent torrential rains and flash floods that have impacted cotton crops in various sowing regions. These reports will be crucial for developing strategies aimed at reviving the cotton industry and safeguarding farming communities.
According to Dr. Zahid, Cotton Commissioner at the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the provincial governments have been tasked with assessing the damage across thousands of hectares of cotton fields affected by the recent extreme weather. These reports will play a key role in minimizing crop losses and devising a framework to shield farmers from similar threats in the future.
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Dr. Zahid noted that the heavy rains in both Punjab and Sindh had caused partial damage to cotton crops. In some areas, flooding led to the complete destruction of the crops. In Sindh, districts like Naushahro Feroze and Dadu were particularly hard hit, while in Punjab, districts such as Rajanpur and DG Khan reported significant damage, with other areas also affected by the rains.
Despite these challenges, this season’s cotton production is estimated to reach 8.2 million bales, falling short of the 9 million bales target. Dr. Zahid mentioned that a more accurate assessment of the damage will be available after the survey’s completion.
He also highlighted that Punjab has achieved 81% of its cotton sowing target, with 3.221 million acres cultivated against a goal of 4 million acres. Meanwhile, Sindh has completed sowing on 87% of its targeted areas. However, cotton arrivals in local markets have declined compared to the same period last year, due to unfavorable weather conditions and reduced sowing areas.
