Surge in cotton production brings relief to growers, ginners in Sindh

Dawn reported that a rise in cotton production across Sindh during the current season has eased pressure on seed cotton growers and ginners. The Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) report for the fortnight ending Aug 31 recorded 16,96,451 bales from countrywide ginning factories, up from 13,35,632 bales a year earlier. Sindh accounted for 11,39,354 bales, compared with 870,062 last year, a 31pc increase.

Punjab, the largest province, recorded 557,097 bales against 405,570 in the same period last year. Sanghar district, the main seed cotton hub, contributed 757,845 bales to the national total. A grower from Matiari and Tando Allahyar named weather as a major factor behind the rise, noting that heavy rain spells can damage the crop. PCGA chairman Sham Lal said growers had received Rs9,000 to Rs9,500 per 37.324kg of seed cotton, which he described as encouraging for farmers.

Sindh Abadgar Board president Mahmood Nawaz Shah cautioned that challenges persist, citing climate risks and pest damage, including pink bollworm. The PCGA October report will cover arrivals until September, which should make the trend clearer. Sham Lal also asked the government to scrap the 18pc tax on oilseed and 10pc on oilcake, and to drop the levy on imported cotton under the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS).