Pakistan has set a target of 15.49 million cotton bales for the 2015-16 season. Punjab would produce 10.5 million bales from 2.43 million hectares, Sindh 4.4 million bales from 0.65 million hectares, Baluchistan 0.59 million bales from 0.043 million hectares and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa 0.00152 million bales from 0.0005 million hectares.

The new textile policy for 2014-19 emphasises on provision of higher quantity and quality of basic raw materials for producing high value products. It stresses on achieving goals through sectoral development and cotton is the first step. There is a provision for better prices for cotton producers.

The forthcoming cotton season would receive normal rainfall. However, low spell of rains are expected in April in the Punjab province. About 10 to 15 per cent more water will be available due to rapid melting of snow and glaciers due to rise in temperature. A higher quantity of certified seed would be available during the coming cotton crop season and seed companies selling fake seed would be de-registered.

Production may decrease due to lower prices last year and consumption may increase during the coming cotton season. Therefore the planning for intervention price may be done in time. Loans amounting to Rs 15 billion would be disbursed for the cotton sector.