Cotton
Pakistan is renowned for being one of the
world's top producers of cotton. Pakistan's economy greatly benefits from
cotton, a big cash crop. However, Pakistan has experienced a fall in cotton
production over the past few years, and the nation is very concerned about this
decline (Ali et al.,
2020; Frederick et al., 2019; Khan et al., 2020).
This reduction has a number of causes,
including bad farming practises, pest assaults, lack of research and
development, and climate change. These causes will be covered in-depth in this
blog, along with proposed remedies that can resurrect Pakistan's cotton sector.
Climate
Change
One of the primary causes of Pakistan's
declining cotton production is climate change. The growth and yield of cotton
crops have been negatively impacted by the rising temperature brought on by the
changing weather patterns. The health of the cotton crop can be greatly
affected by changes in temperature and moisture because the crop is so
sensitive to these conditions.
Additionally, the decrease in rainfall brought
on by the altering weather patterns has been essential to the growth and
development of cotton crops. A lack of water as a result of the decreased
rainfall has harmed the yield of the cotton crop.
Pest
Attacks
Attacks by pests are yet another important
factor causing Pakistan's cotton production to decline. Cotton crops are
extremely vulnerable to pest infestations, and if pests are not controlled,
they can seriously harm the crop. Bollworms and whiteflies are the most
frequent pests that attack cotton crops in Pakistan (Ali et al.,
2019; Naveed et al., 2020).
A particular species of moth called a
"bollworm" lays its eggs on the cotton plant's bolls. If not
controlled, the larvae that emerge from these eggs feed on the cotton seeds and
can seriously harm the crop. The cotton plant wilts and eventually dies as a
result of whiteflies sucking the sap from its leaves (Fand et al.,
2020).
Research
and development gaps
Another factor affecting Pakistan's declining
cotton production is the absence of research and development in the sector.
Lack of R&D spending in Pakistan's cotton business has resulted in a lack
of innovation in agricultural techniques and pest management strategies (Abbas, 2020).
Additionally, a lack of research and
development has resulted in incorrect farming methods and lower crop yields due
to a lack of knowledge about the best ways to use pesticides and fertilisers.
Inefficient
Farming Methods
Poor farming methods are a significant
contributor to Pakistan's declining cotton production. Farmers in Pakistan
frequently use antiquated farming techniques that are ineffective given the
country's current climatic conditions and pest problems.
In addition, farmers frequently overuse
pesticides and fertilisers, which can degrade the soil and lower crop yields.
Additionally, overuse of pesticides and fertilisers can harm the environment
and pose health risks.
Solutions
to Revive the Cotton Industry in Pakistan
To revive the cotton industry in Pakistan,
several solutions need to be implemented. These solutions include:
Developing
Drought-Resistant Cotton Varieties
Creating cotton cultivars that can withstand
droughts will help cotton output withstand the negative consequences of climate
change. Because they can endure high temperatures and use less water, these
types can lessen the effect of decreased rainfall on the cotton crop's
production (Saleem et al.,
2020; Zafar et al., 2021).
Investing
in Research and Development
Research and development funding are essential
for Pakistan's cotton sector to recover. New farming techniques and pest
management strategies that are suitable for the nation's present weather
patterns and most common pests can be found with the help of research.
Promoting
Sustainable Agricultural Methods
Promoting environmentally friendly
agricultural methods can aid in reducing the overuse of pesticides and
fertilisers, which can result in soil degradation and lower crop yields. The
use of sustainable agricultural methods can also improve the health of farmers
and consumers while lowering the environmental impact of cotton production.
Providing
Financial Access
Providing access to capital is vital for
farmers to adopt modern farming practices, purchase high-quality seeds and
fertilizers, and invest in new technologies. The government and banking
institutions should adopt policies and programs to enable farmers with access
to finance at affordable rates.
Increasing
Awareness and Education
Increasing awareness and education among
farmers can assist promote the use of modern farming practices and pest control
methods. Farmers should be supplied with information about innovative
agricultural techniques, the appropriate use of fertilizers and pesticides, and
the benefits of sustainable farming practices.
Strengthening
the Cotton Value Chain
In Pakistan, the cotton industry may expand
and farmers' incomes can be raised through strengthening the cotton value
chain. Together, the public and private sectors should create a productive
value chain that links farmers to consumers, processors, and exporters.
Conclusion
Pakistan's declining cotton production is a
major source of concern for the nation. The main causes of this reduction are
bad farming practises, pest infestations, lack of research and development, and
climate change. However, there are a number of potential solutions that could
aid in reviving the Pakistani cotton industry, such as creating cotton
varieties that are resistant to drought, investing in research and development,
encouraging sustainable farming methods, granting access to finance, raising
farmer awareness and education, and bolstering the cotton value chain.
In order to put these proposals into action
and encourage the expansion of Pakistan's cotton industry, the government,
private sector, and farmers should collaborate. Reviving the cotton sector may
not only improve the economy of the nation but also advance the health and
happiness of farmers and customers and support the nation's sustainable growth.
References
Abbas, S. (2020).
Climate change and cotton production: an empirical investigation of Pakistan. Environmental
Science and Pollution Research, 27(23), 29580-29588.
Ali, M. A., Farooq, J., Batool, A., Zahoor, A., Azeem, F.,
Mahmood, A., & Jabran, K. (2019). Cotton production in Pakistan. Cotton
production, 249-276.
Ali, M. Y., Saleem, S., Irshad, M. N., Mehmood, A., Nisar, M.,
& Ali, I. (2020). Comparative study of different irrigation system for
cotton crop in district Rahim Yar khan, Punjab, Pakistan. International Journal
of Agricultural Extension, 8(2), 131-138.
Fand, B. B., Nagrare, V., Deshmukh, V., Naikwadi, B.,
Gokte-Narkhedkar, N., & Waghmare, V. (2020). A simple and low-cost
laboratory rearing technique for pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella
(Suanders)(Lepidoptera: Gelechidae) using detached green bolls of cotton. Phytoparasitica,
48, 25-33.
Frederick, S., Daly, J., & Center, D. G. V. C. (2019).
Pakistan in the apparel global value chain. Duke Global Value Chains Center,
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States.
Khan, M. A., Wahid, A., Ahmad, M., Tahir, M. T., Ahmed, M., Ahmad,
S., & Hasanuzzaman, M. (2020). World cotton production and consumption: An
overview. Cotton production and uses: Agronomy, crop protection, and
postharvest technologies, 1-7.
Naveed, M., Khan, R., Akhtar, K., & Hussain, M. (2020).
Response of cotton varieties against insect pests and cotton leaf curl disease.
S. Asian J. Life Sci, 8(1), 1-5.
Saleem, M. A., Qayyum, A., Malik, W., & Amjid, M. W. (2020).
Molecular breeding of cotton for drought stress tolerance. Cotton production
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Zafar, M. M., Manan, A., Razzaq, A., Zulfqar,
M., Saeed, A., Kashif, M., . . . Iqbal, M. S. (2021). Exploiting agronomic and
biochemical traits to develop heat resilient cotton cultivars under climate
change scenarios. Agronomy, 11(9), 1885.
About the Author: Qudrat Ullah is an MPhil
student of Environmental Science at Government College University Faisalabad.
He is dedicated and motivated individual with a passion for exploring the
impact of human activities on the environment. He aims to contribute towards
creating a sustainable and healthy environment for the present and future
generations.
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