Pakistan’s cotton production has taken a severe hit as relentless heatwaves ravage key agricultural regions. The sweltering conditions have caused significant damage to crops, leading to a sharp decline in overall cotton output. Farmers across the country are grappling with the devastating impact of extreme temperatures, which have drastically reduced cotton arrivals and threatened the livelihood of those dependent on this critical sector.
Extreme temperatures have severely impacted early-sown cotton crops in Punjab, resulting in a significant drop in overall production.
The Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) reported on August 18, 2024, that cotton production fell to 392,736 bales, a 38.4% decrease from last year’s 636,684 bales.
Similarly, Sindh’s cotton crop has been affected by harsh weather, with cotton arrivals plummeting to 682,292 bales, down 53.9% from last year’s 1.478 million bales.
The Punjab Agriculture Department, in collaboration with the private sector, has initiated a comprehensive management plan, coupled with an advanced pest management strategy supported by the Land Information and Management System (LIMS) and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).
Despite challenging conditions, a recent review meeting in Multan noted an increase in fruiting bodies compared to last year. Efforts are continuing to maximize the conversion of flowers into bolls and reach the target yield of 19.5 maunds per acre for Punjab.
The latest report from the PCGA reveals a significant nationwide decrease in cotton arrivals, with total arrivals falling by 49.18% to 1.075 million bales, down from 2.115 million bales last year. In Punjab, arrivals dropped by 38.4% to 0.392 million bales, compared to 0.636 million bales last year, while Sindh experienced a 14.3% decline, with arrivals decreasing to 0.682 million bales from 0.796 million.
Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab reported a staggering 73.2% drop in cotton bales, plummeting from 23,607 last year to just 6,321 this year. Bahawalpur saw a 41.92% decrease, and other major districts like Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Vehari also reported similar declines.