Cotton output boost: Govt must take steps on a war footing: KCA

The Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) has called for urgent government action to increase cotton production in Pakistan, in order to reduce the nation's dependence on expensive cotton imports. At a World Cotton Day ceremony, KCA Chairman Muhammad Atif Shakoor highlighted the country's ongoing struggle with a consistent cotton shortage and the production of substandard cotton lint, which forces exporters to import cotton to meet demand.

The KCA organized the event at Federation House to underscore the global significance of cotton and address the specific challenges Pakistan faces in increasing its cotton output to meet the expanding needs of the local textile industry.

Various cotton sector stakeholders gathered to discuss the issues plaguing Pakistan's cotton industry and urged the government to take immediate steps to address these challenges. Rizwan Iqbal Umer, KCA's Senior Vice-Chairman, emphasized the need for collective efforts to boost cotton production and elevate cotton quality, while safeguarding the interests of cotton growers.

Prem Chand, Vice Chairman of the KCA, urged the KCA, APTMA, and PCGA to work in tandem with the government to secure measures for increasing cotton production. He further stressed the importance of enhancing the quality of domestically produced cotton and called for the government to permit the import of high-quality cotton seeds to achieve desired results.

Former KCA Chairman Khawaja M. Zubair suggested that the government ensure the availability of healthy, certified cotton seeds to farmers to aid in increasing production. Muhammad Arif Piracha, a former member of the KCA Executive Committee, highlighted the eco-friendly nature of cotton and advocated for promoting its marketing through the development of a dedicated slogan.

This, in turn, would raise awareness and boost cotton sales. Chandarlal, a member of the KCA Brokers Advisory Committee and Licensed Cotton Broker, suggested that the KCA approach the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Federal Minister for Commerce and Finance to underscore the importance of cotton in the country's GDP and inform them that increased cotton production would significantly reduce the trade deficit.