RAHIM YAR KHAN
Despite rising prices of cotton in the world markets, the cotton industry in Pakistan is faced with crisis due to “pro-India” policies of the government, said a leader of the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association.
“If the import of cotton yarn from India is not blocked and additional concessions for yarn exporters not announced by the government, the cotton industry may face disaster and consequently cotton sowing in the current season may be adversely affected,” feared Ehsanul Haq. He said that Indian awarded 5% additional subsidy on export of cotton yarn and it had enforced of 25pc regulatory duty on imports of the produce from Pakistan to India. As a result, the Pakistani textile industries had to import cotton yarn from India thereby causing drastic drop in the local buying, he said.
“Cotton prices in Newark Cotton Stock Exchange last day were recorded high whereas cotton exports have been ditched down creating crisis for cotton industry in Pakistan,” he said. “The cotton prices during last two weeks fell by 300 to 400 rupees to Rs6,700 per maund. If the cotton import from India is not stopped, our cotton industry will face severe financial crisis.”
He appealed the prime minister of Pakistan to block cotton imports from India or impose 10% regulatory duty on cotton imports to save the national cotton industry and to encourage cotton sowing during the current season.
Experts promote Chinese seeds: China is working for the prosperity of farmers and agricultural revolution in Pakistan while per hectare crop yield is increasing through the use of Chinese seeds, claimed Chinese experts Miss Xia Bzu and Miss Wang Ping.
They were visiting different farms in tehsil Sadiqabad on invitation of local agricultural experts. They said, “The prosperity of farmers is prosperity of Pakistan. Farmers can increase their crop yield by using hybrid seeds of China. China is providing canola, corn, rice and vegetable seeds according to the agricultural needs and the weather of Pakistan.”
The experts are on a visit to Pakistan for increasing the use of Chinese seeds in the country, and will review the needs of farmers, climate conditions and terrestrial facts. The delegation also examined the cultivated crops. They said that they were providing good quality seeds for the farmers of Southern Punjab including Sadiqabad. “We also want to share our experience and know about the farmers’ needs,” they said. The delegation was served with various food items during their visit of Chak 148/P. In-charge of JDW orchards Rana Mujeeb Arjumand Khan presented souvenirs to the guests.