Chief Secretary Balochistan chairs meeting on boosting cotton output in province

QUETTA: A key meeting was held under Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan to increase cotton production in the province, expand the area under cultivation and promote modern farming methods. A detailed briefing on cotton maximisation was given at the meeting.

Secretary Agriculture Dawood Khilji briefed the meeting on the present state of cotton, production prospects, problems faced by growers, modern seeds, irrigation, farm machinery and measures for better marketing.

Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan said cotton was an important cash crop of the province. He said higher production could raise farmers’ incomes and also give the provincial economy a stronger base. According to him, modern technology, quality seed, effective use of water, timely sowing and farm guidance could bring a marked improvement in cotton yield per acre.

Prospects of making barren land cultivable

According to official sources, the area under cotton in Balochistan has already been expanding. The meeting was told that cotton maximisation could promote cotton cultivation in those Districts of the province where farming prospects exist. This would make barren or under-used land cultivable.

The meeting also stressed that higher cotton production would bring direct financial benefit to local farmers, as better yields, lower costs and better access to markets would raise their incomes. According to research evidence, cotton growers in Balochistan can earn a considerable profit per acre. Better farm management can increase both production and profit.

The Chief Secretary said higher cotton production would also strengthen textiles, ginning, transport, employment and trade in the province. He said the development of cotton was not just the development of one crop. It was a means of strengthening the links between agriculture, industry and exports, and could reduce the country’s import bill and raise export prospects.

He directed that immediate action be ensured on training programmes, awareness campaigns, field support and a coordinated strategy for cotton growers, so that the targets of cotton maximisation could be met. The Government of Balochistan reaffirmed its resolve to use all available resources for agricultural development, the prosperity of farmers and a stronger provincial economy.

Photo: courtesy DGPR Balochistan