Daily Balochistan Times

Islamabad: A meeting aimed at boosting early cotton production in Pakistan was held at the Cotton Research Station Faisalabad on Monday. The session was chaired by Chief Scientist Agriculture (Research), Dr Sajid ur Rahman, and attended by various stakeholders, including researchers and farmers.

According to Sajid ur Rahman, the key objective of the meeting was to encourage farmers to cultivate early cotton in line with the Agriculture Department's ambitious target of covering 10 million acres of land. Sajid highlighted that the per-acre yield of cotton has been on a continuous decline in seasonal sowing, stressing the importance of early planting to help reverse this trend.

Sajid urged farmers to begin sowing cotton by February 15, noting that the sowing period from February 15 to March 31 is critical for ensuring the best possible yields. He recommended farmers use approved cotton varieties, such as Rayaal, Cindal, Raya, and Kinnow, to achieve optimal results. The certified seed varieties can produce yields ranging from 60 to 70 Maunds per acre when properly sowed. He also emphasized that proper soil preparation and seed selection are essential for maximizing productivity.

Sajid gave an in-depth lecture on low-cost production technologies suited for early cotton cultivation and emphasized the significance of using certified seeds for optimal yield.

"To achieve maximum yields of up to 70 Maunds per acre in early sown cotton, it is crucial to use glyphosate-tolerant, three-gene varieties that can yield high results with minimal inputs," Chief Scientist Agriculture stated during the meeting.

Further addressing the challenges facing cotton cultivation, Dr. Rahman stressed the need for modern crop management techniques to combat climatic challenges and pest infestations. He advised farmers to seek guidance from the Agriculture Department regarding the prevention of whitefly attacks, pink bollworm infestations, and other extreme weather conditions.

Dr Sajid also instructed the researchers at the Cotton Research Station to play a pivotal role in the campaign to revitalize Pakistan's cotton industry, boosting economic growth and prosperity for the country's farming communities.

Chief Scientist Agriculture also suggested some new experiments to the researchers of the institute regarding early sown cotton so that precise information must be generated which can benefit the farmers to obtain maximum yield. He also urged researchers to develop Climate-resilient cotton varieties that can thrive in Pakistan's diverse climate conditions. He also discussed some improved irrigation, fertilization, and pest management. Practices which can benefit the farming community.

Islamabad: A meeting aimed at boosting early cotton production in Pakistan was held at the Cotton Research Station Faisalabad on Monday. The session was chaired by Chief Scientist Agriculture (Research), Dr Sajid ur Rahman, and attended by various stakeholders, including researchers and farmers.

According to Sajid ur Rahman, the key objective of the meeting was to encourage farmers to cultivate early cotton in line with the Agriculture Department's ambitious target of covering 10 million acres of land. Sajid highlighted that the per-acre yield of cotton has been on a continuous decline in seasonal sowing, stressing the importance of early planting to help reverse this trend.

Sajid urged farmers to begin sowing cotton by February 15, noting that the sowing period from February 15 to March 31 is critical for ensuring the best possible yields. He recommended farmers use approved cotton varieties, such as Rayaal, Cindal, Raya, and Kinnow, to achieve optimal results. The certified seed varieties can produce yields ranging from 60 to 70 Maunds per acre when properly sowed. He also emphasized that proper soil preparation and seed selection are essential for maximizing productivity.

Sajid gave an in-depth lecture on low-cost production technologies suited for early cotton cultivation and emphasized the significance of using certified seeds for optimal yield.

"To achieve maximum yields of up to 70 Maunds per acre in early sown cotton, it is crucial to use glyphosate-tolerant, three-gene varieties that can yield high results with minimal inputs," Chief Scientist Agriculture stated during the meeting.

Further addressing the challenges facing cotton cultivation, Dr. Rahman stressed the need for modern crop management techniques to combat climatic challenges and pest infestations. He advised farmers to seek guidance from the Agriculture Department regarding the prevention of whitefly attacks, pink bollworm infestations, and other extreme weather conditions.

Dr Sajid also instructed the researchers at the Cotton Research Station to play a pivotal role in the campaign to revitalize Pakistan's cotton industry, boosting economic growth and prosperity for the country's farming communities.

Chief Scientist Agriculture also suggested some new experiments to the researchers of the institute regarding early sown cotton so that precise information must be generated which can benefit the farmers to obtain maximum yield. He also urged researchers to develop Climate-resilient cotton varieties that can thrive in Pakistan's diverse climate conditions. He also discussed some improved irrigation, fertilization, and pest management. Practices which can benefit the farming community.

Islamabad: Maroof International Hospital (MIH) has organized a Health and Fitness Gala 2025 to pay tribute to the Pakistan's police force especially the families of martyred.

The event was organized in collaboration with Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Islamabad Police for promoting wellness and fitness for all.

The event offered free medical consultations across 10 specialties, including General Medicine, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Dental Care, Cardiology, and more, along with fitness activities that highlighted the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

A heartfelt tribute was also paid to the martyred heroes of the police force, underscoring the event's deep emotional significance. During the medical camp, a wide range of health concerns were addressed. Notably, 30% of attendees were found to be suffering from diabetes, 25% experienced eye allergies, and 20% had near vision weakness. Additionally, 25% of the participants had high blood pressure, underscoring the need for regular health check-ups and preventive care.

Among the distinguished guests were Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa, MNA Dr Tariq Fazal Ch President FPCCI Atif Ikram, Chairman Standing Committee FPCCI, heads of Foreign missions and several other esteemed dignitaries.

Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani remarked, 'We owe our police force a debt of gratitude for their sacrifices. Events like these unite us in honoring their bravery while promoting a healthier society.'

Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan praised the collaboration, stating, 'This initiative sets a benchmark for fostering health and well-being through collective efforts.'

As a symbol of solidarity, Chairman MIH presented a cheque to the families of martyred police officers, reaffirming MIH's commitment to supporting those who sacrifice for the nation.

Haroon Naseer, CEO of MIH, expressed, 'At MIH, we are committed to making healthcare accessible and giving back to the community.' He emphasized, 'Community support programs, health awareness sessions, and disease prevention initiatives are key to improving public health.'

He said, 'It is our responsibility to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to manage their health proactively. By identifying and addressing health concerns like diabetes, hypertension, and vision problems early on, we can significantly reduce the burden of these diseases on our society.'

'Our collaboration with Islamabad Police and FPCCI demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in driving positive change for the well-being of our nation.'