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MULTAN, Oct 07 (APP):Representatives of cotton farmers, researchers and industrialists assembled at one platform to celebrate World Cotton Day here Tuesday and underlined the need for strong cotton research aided by modern research facilities, advanced technology, effective collaboration between public and private research entities, and technology integration to make the dream of sustainable cotton development in Pakistan come true.
The ceremonies began with a Cotton Walk with active participation from researchers, farmers, company representatives, and other stakeholders while different companies set up stalls showcasing their agriculture products.
Speaking at the seminar at Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) Multan, speakers emphasized that that cotton was not only farmers’ livelihood but also the backbone of Pakistan’s industrial and export structure.
Dr. Khadim Hussain, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC), presided over the seminar while Dr. Muhammad Idrees Khan, the Secretary Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC), delivered the opening remarks, prescribing strong linkages among research institutions, policymakers, and the private sector for cotton revival. He reiterated that PCCC was fully committed to modernizing the cotton research infrastructure on scientific lines.
Sohail Mahmood Harl, a noted industrialist and senior member of the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), stressed the need to enhance research funding for cotton development, stating that sustainable outcomes were impossible without ensuring financial stability for research institutions. He highlighted CCRI Multan’s pivotal role in the cotton research system, noting that its contributions have direct positive impacts on farmers and the national economy. He further emphasized that reviving cotton was crucial for stabilizing Pakistan’s exports.
Ms. Sabahat Hussain, Director CCRI Multan, presented a comprehensive analysis of the global cotton scenario. She shared that CCRI Multan has recently introduced two new cotton varieties, Cyto 547 and Bt CIM-990, which possess greater resistance to climate stresses and have higher yield potential, offering significant benefits to farmers.
Dr. Adeel Ahmad gave a detailed presentation on promising cotton varieties, while Dr. Muhammad Yousaf highlighted the achievements of the joint MG-CCRI-BCI project, a collaboration between Mahmood Group and CCRI. Muhammad Umar Iqbal from BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) discussed the future of sustainable cotton, and Rubab Zahra, Country Manager, OCA, shed light on the growing global importance of organic cotton.
Abu Bakar Ahmad, Director, Cotton Connect, remarked that the purpose of World Cotton Day was to highlight the economic and social significance of cotton. He underscored the importance of integrating research, digital tools, and field training to enhance Pakistan’s global competitiveness in cotton.
The program was also attended by Dr. Muhammad Sagheer, Dr. Ghulam Hussain, Muhammad Tariq, and Ilyas Raza Kalachi (Additional DG, PW&QC), among others. In his brief remarks, Mr. Kalachi emphasized that improving research and quality standards was vital for enhancing cotton’s value addition and overall quality. Representatives from FFC, Sun Crop, Bayer Chemicals, Axon Chemicals, Lucky Core Industries, Jaffer Brothers, and other organizations also shared their views on improving cotton productivity.
In his concluding remarks, CEO PCCC Dr. Khadim Hussain stressed that cotton be declared a national priority to ensure farmers’ prosperity and national strength pleading that growth of the cotton sector was vital for Pakistan’s economic sovereignty.
At the end of the ceremony, shields were presented to the guests, while participants visited research laboratories, cotton fields, and various company stalls.