Islamabad, September 07, 2022 (PPI-OT):Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema chaired a meeting on cotton revival to consult stakeholders and review the proposals for enhancement of yield and area of cotton crop. The meeting was attended by Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Industries and Production Syed Murtaza Mahmud, relevant government bodies and stakeholders. The committee members decided to encourage technology providing seed companies to market their cotton seeds in Pakistan.
In this regard, a committee has been constituted, which will negotiate with the seed companies and facilitate them in introduction of cotton seed with new technology in the local market. Federal Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema said that the latest seed technologies will help to enhance productivity, while the sector will benefit from the transfer of technology.
He said that farmers will be encouraged to grow more cotton through such incentives. Federal Minister for Industries and Production Syed Murtaza Mahmud directed the committee members to revisit the criteria for registration of seed companies. He said that the companies which are providing sub-standard quality seeds should be penalized.
He added steps should be taken to protect farmers from spurious seeds. Federal government will consult provincial governments to devise a mechanism for it. Federal Minister Syed Murtaza Mahmud stressed on uplifting R and D institutions of the country.
Federal Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema said that inferior quality cotton seed adversely affects farmers, ginners and textile industry alike. He added textile industry should pay the cotton cess arrears in order to improve cotton research activities. In a meeting on 20th August 2022, the Prime Minister approved Rs 10 billion for cotton research and development endowment fund. The funds will be released in three tranches over three years.
The members of the committee decided to use the funds to improve seed quality, modernize and develop climate change resilient production technologies. During the meeting, the committee members were told that the Ministry of National Food Security and Research is designing an awareness campaign for farmers. The campaign will educate farmers about the ways to improve productivity and enhance farming skills.
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