Cotton production: PARC, CCRI agree to boost cooperation

Pakistan Agricultural Research Council and Central Cotton Research Institute have committed to closer scientific work on constraints facing cotton growers, Business Recorder reported. The understanding was discussed during a visit to CCRI Multan by a PARC delegation led by Engineer Irfan Ali, with institute director Sabahat Hussain chairing the meeting. Pakistan Central Cotton Committee secretary Dr Rao Wali Muhammad also took part.

Attendees revisited an existing PCCC-PARC arrangement for safeguarding cotton germplasm, including secure preservation, maintaining genetic purity and records. They also considered collaborative studies, machine-based picking, biochar use to support soil conditions, and integrated measures against pink bollworm and whitefly. Hussain emphasized seed quality, genetic resources and newer production methods as routes to stronger yields and fibre quality, and proposed pooling research facilities so results can be conveyed to farmers.