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FAISALABAD, Oct 07 (APP):Chief Scientist Wheat Research Institute (WRI) of Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) Dr. Javed Ahmad has said that the government is employing all available resources to promote cotton cultivation across the country in order to boost textile exports and strengthen the national economy.
Addressing the World Cotton Day ceremony organized by Cotton Research Department AARI here on Tuesday, he said that AARI scientists are serving as a frontline force to boost per-acre yields particularly in cotton which is backbone of the textile industry.
He said that Faisalabad continued to play a central role as the textile manufacturing hub of Pakistan and its products enjoy worldwide recognition. He urged the researchers to develop triple-gene cotton varieties compatible with modern needs and ensure availability of high-quality seeds directly to the farmers.
Principal Scientist and Incharge Cotton Research Station Dr. Jahanzaib Farooq said that this year cotton was cultivated over 8.5 million acres across Punjab while 3.13 million acres of land was brought under cultivation of early sowing varieties and approximately 2.65 million bales were harvested so far.
He said that extreme heat reaching up to 50°C in May and early June affected fruiting in early-sown cotton while rains from June to October reduced whitefly attacks but increased infestations of jassid and mealybug.
He said that AARI scientists are focusing on developing new cotton varieties that can tolerate heat stress and use less water in response to changing climate conditions.
Chief Scientist Biotechnology Dr. Qamar Shakeel said that AARI holds a rich germplasm collection of indigenous and American cotton species which could enable the researchers to breed new, climate-resilient and high-yielding varieties. The AARI scientists are also contributing tirelessly to the Cotton Revival Program through research and innovation, he added.
Later, a cake was also cut to mark World Cotton Day and special prayers were offered for peace, prosperity, and economic stability of Pakistan.
Chief Scientist Oilseeds Muhammad Younas, Deputy Director Research Headquarters Hafiz Dr. Saeed-ur-Rehman, Deputy Director Agriculture Information Muhammad Ishaq Lashari, scientists of cotton department Dr Khansa Khakwani, Amina Nazir, Asma Parveen, Ayesha Sardar, Aabiya Younus, Farrukh Elahi, Junaid Iqbal, Hafiz Ghazanfar Abbas, Dr Amjad Farooq Cheema, Saqib Sohail and others were also present in the ceremony.