Climate change leads to early cotton sowing in Sindh

Farmers in parts of coastal Sindh have started planting cotton in mid-November, a timing not previously seen in the region, Dawn reported on November 9. The activity has been noted in Thatta and Sujawal, including Chuhar Jamali, Mirpur Sakro, Gharo, Buhara, Keti Bunder and Chhachh Jahan, where growers are using land freed after rice harvests and, in some cases, planting cotton alongside tomato crops.

Cotton cultivation on the coast normally begins in February or March, while planting elsewhere in Pakistan has historically started later. Experts say continued suitable weather through November and early December could expand the area planted in these districts, with sowing potentially carrying on into February and March. A successful harvest could also bring forward the start of ginning in selected parts of Sindh to March; Cotton Ginners Forum chairman Ihsanul Haq said recent temperature shifts had hurt yields and crop quality.