The ongoing wheat crisis in Pakistan is starting to have ripple effects across the agricultural sector, with cotton sowing delays. This development has rung alarm bells in the country’s vital textile industry, which heavily relies on domestically produced cotton.
The primary reason for the delay is the unexpected drop in temperatures during February and March. This disrupted the usual wheat harvest schedule, pushing back the time when fields become available for planting the next crop – in this case, cotton.
However, the impact of the wheat crisis goes beyond simple timing. Due to difficulties selling wheat at the government-mandated price of Rs. 3,900 per 40kg, many farmers lack the necessary funds to purchase seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other essential inputs for the upcoming cotton season. This financial constraint is causing a significant number of farmers to postpone cotton sowing, raising concerns within the textile and ginning sectors.
The impact is already being felt in key cotton-producing regions like Sindh’s coastal cities and Punjab’s Bahawalnagar, Sahiwal, and Vehari districts. Here, growers were unable to plant cotton due to the earlier cold snap, leading to a decline in cotton acreage. This situation jeopardizes the government’s target of harvesting over 10 million bales of cotton.
To address this issue of cotton sowing delays Ihsanul Haq, is urging authorities to implement subsidy program. This financial assistance would incentivize them to plant cotton and improve their income. Also ultimately ensuring a steady supply of the essential raw material for the textile industry. Haq warns that Pakistan might face a future where it needs to import edible oil and cotton.
By effectively managing the wheat crisis and implementing measures to support cotton cultivation, Pakistan can safeguard its textile industry and prevent a potential cotton shortage in the future.
