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Induction of Bt Cotton needed for raising exports
SHR Jahfery
Islamabad—Cotton is an important cash crop for Pakistan and according
to statistics from the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association cotton
and textiles make up over 60 percent of Pakistan’s $7.5 billion annual
export. Zehra Maqbool an expert in Bt Cotton here said that it
accounts for 8.2 per cent of the value added in the agriculture sector
and about 2% to GDP, adds over $2.8 billion to the national economy.
She said that livelihood of more than 1.5 million farmers and of
others employed along the entire cotton value chain is dependent on
this single crop.
Although the area of cotton under cultivation has been increasing in
the last few years, cotton production still remains below the target.
Recently, APTMA & farmer groups were invited to Australia to analyze
the situation and have recommended ASAP adoption of the technology.
Zehra told that about 2 million cotton bales per year are being
imported since the last several years to cater for the shortfall.
Given the need for higher-count yarns and better quality fabrics for
the export market and specialized products demanded by the domestic
market, Pakistan’s textile industry is expected to rely increasingly
on U.S. Pima cotton and contamination-free upland cotton.
All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) and Farmer groups are
continuously requesting the authorities to bring latest agriculture
technologies in cotton so that Pakistan can regain its lost position
in the world as a leading cotton producer. She observed that
Biotechnology seems the likely answer to this problem. The use of
biotech crops has significantly reduced pesticide usage while
increasing yields.
