Pakistan’s cotton production in the current crop year 2021-22 is likely to be 19.42 per cent lower than government's estimate of 10.5 million bales. The government estimates cotton output for the current year to reach 8.46 million bales. As a The News, Pakistan total cotton production in the current year will be less than the industry’s demand of about 14-15 million bales. However, production in Punjab is expected to increase 8.5 per cent to 4.5 million bales.

The 398.6 mm rainfall in 2020 had a devastating impact on the cotton production in Pakistan whereas this year the rainfall of 78.6 mm has improved the prospect of overall production. However, the attack of Mealybug and Whitefly and CLCuV has adversely affected the production of cotton in the country. Farmers need to be made aware of contamination control, said Syed Fakhar Iman, Minister for National Food Security and Research.

The government will be proactive with the provision of quality seed to facilitate farmers, he informed.