Multan:Experts at a World Cotton Day event at the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) Multan on Wednesday called for stronger research, modern technology and public-private collaboration to ensure sustainable growth of the cotton sector.
The event was attended by researchers, agricultural experts, farmers, industry representatives and other stakeholders. MNA Muhammad Khan Daha was the chief guest, while Secretary Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) Rao Wali Muhammad presided.
Addressing the gathering, Muhammad Khan Daha said the government was making efforts for the revival of cotton and assured that he would raise issues faced by PCCC and other research institutions at the appropriate forums. He stressed the need for research institutions to ensure the availability of quality seed to farmers to improve per-acre production.
Rao Wali Muhammad said cotton was a backbone of the national economy and its revival required stronger linkages among research institutions, policymakers and the private sector. He said the PCCC would utilise available resources to modernise the cotton research infrastructure.
Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association Chairman Sohail Mahmood Haral stressed increased funding for cotton research, saying that sustainable results could not be achieved without providing financial stability to research institutions. He said CCRI Multan was playing a key role in cotton research, with its work having a direct impact on farmers and the national economy.
In her welcome address, CCRI Multan Director Dr Sabahat Hussain highlighted the impact of climate change on cotton production. She said changing weather patterns required research-based strategies and added that CCRI Multan was working to guide farmers and promote research aimed at developing climate-resilient cotton production practices.
The programme began with a cotton walk attended by researchers, farmers, company representatives and other stakeholders.
Representing Mahmood Group, Dr Muhammad Yousaf and Hafiz Haider Rafiq highlighted achievements of the MG-CCRI-BCI collaborative project and reaffirmed their commitment to further cooperation with CCRI Multan for sustainable cotton production.
Cotton Connect Associate Director Rauf Ahmed Khan appreciated the organisation’s collaboration with CCRI Multan, particularly in digital tools, field training and scientific research, saying such initiatives were important for sustainable cotton development and enhancing Pakistan’s competitiveness in the global market.
Former PCCC vice president Dr Khalid Abdullah, Kenzo AG CEO Asif Majeed, former PARC principal scientist Dr Tahir Rashid, agricultural expert Dr Makhdoom Hamid, Rana Khalid Mahmood, Organic AG Executive Director Saeed Ahmed Shah, PARC Bahawalpur in-charge Dr Muhammad Jahangir, Air University Professor Dr Ghulam Ali and PCBA representative Ajmal Chughtai were among those who attended the event.
Representatives of private-sector organisations, including SunCrop, Bayer Chemicals, REEDS, BCI, FAO, Swardo and OKA, as well as progressive farmer Ehsan Laleka, also participated in the programme and shared their views on improving cotton production.
The event concluded with the presentation of shields to guests, followed by a visit to research laboratories, cotton fields and stalls set up by different companies.