Pakistan’s cotton production has fallen short by 4.7 million bales year-on-year during this season. There are issues facing the agriculture sector in general and cotton crop in particular in Pakistan.

Cotton growers want all taxes on agricultural inputs, including general sales tax, eliminated, to ensure growers get a good price for their produce. They also want the export subsidy on sugar to go and regulatory duty to be imposed on sugar imports. They feel there should be a ban on sugarcane growing in cotton areas.

Inferior quality seed is seen as a major reason for the crop failure. Growers want an assured supply of certified seeds. Above all they want a fair price. There are concerns the free market policy for agriculture produce is allowing easy access to cotton and other farm produce from across the border which is hurting growers. Growers feel if they can buy inputs and sell their farm produce at world prices they would be able to produce more and bring in prosperity for themselves and others.

An exportable surplus would mean that growers can get an international price for their produce and keep cultivating more and more cotton. Growers feel a strong marketing network would help them raise production.