Stakeholders cheer hybrid cotton seed import decision
Stakeholders in Pakistan's cotton industry have united in applauding the government's recent decision to lift a decades-old ban on importing hybrid cotton seeds, marking a potential turning point for the struggling sector. Farmers, textile manufacturers, and industry leaders described the move as a critical step to revive cotton production, once dubbed Pakistan's 'white gold', and bolster the economy. The decision, finalised through a swift regulatory process, comes after years of declining yields, with production plummeting from a peak of 14 million bales in 2014 to a historic low of 4.9 million bales in 2022-23, according to Pakistan's Central Cotton Committee.
Representatives from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), All Pakistan Textile Manufacturers Association (APTMA), and Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA) emphasised the decision's urgency. Shahzad Ali Malik, Founder of PHHSA, highlighted that the import ban on cotton germplasm had stifled innovation for over 50 years. "This is not just about seeds, it is about saving an industry that supports millions of livelihoods," Malik said, recalling how hybrid seeds transformed rice and maize yields, pushing rice exports beyond $4 billion annually. He credited the government's speed in issuing a statutory regulatory order (SRO) within two months of the March 2023 approval, signalling commitment to agricultural revival.
The decline of cotton, a crop that contributes nearly 1% to Pakistan's GDP and supports over 40% of the textile sector's needs, has had cascading effects. APTMA Chairman Kamran Arshad noted that textile mills imported $5 billion worth of cotton this year to bridge the supply gap, a costly and unsustainable trend. "Every bale we import drains foreign reserves and weakens our global competitiveness," he said. Climate change, substandard seeds, and pest outbreaks like the pink bollworm have compounded the crisis, forcing over 30% of ginning factories to shut in the past decade.
FPCCI's Zonal Chairman Zain Iftikhar Chaudhry linked the sector's struggles to outdated farming practices. "Farmers were trapped in a cycle of poor yields, relying on low-quality seeds and ineffective pest control," he explained. Hybrid seeds, resistant to pests and adaptable to climate shifts, could boost yields by up to 40%, experts suggest. This aligns with the government's target of producing 10 million bales by 2025 to restore cotton's historic role. Textile exporters, who contribute 60% of Pakistan's $32 billion in annual exports, see the policy shift as critical for reducing import dependence and enhancing competitiveness.
For farmers like Ahmed Hassan from Punjab, the decision brings hope. "Better seeds mean better income. If the government supports us, cotton can bloom again," he said, warning that success hinges on consistent policies, farmer education, and research. "With hybrid seeds now in play, the journey to reclaim 'white gold' has begun."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
19 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Hybrid cotton trials give birth to cotton revival hopes: experts
LAHORE: After decades of stagnation, Pakistan's cotton sector is poised for a turnaround as hybrid cotton has been allowed and with large-scale field trials underway this year across Sindh and Punjab, industry experts project that hybrid cotton could drive a full recovery of Pakistan's cotton production within three to four years. For more than 50 years, the local industry lacked access to hybrid cotton technology despite regulatory approval being granted as far back as 2010. Now, with the regulatory bottlenecks removed, Pakistan can take benefit of experience from global leaders such as China, the U.S., Uzbekistan, India and Ethiopia. Shahzad Ali Malik, CEO of Guard Agricultural Research and Services (Pvt.) Limited, told Business Recorder that they are conducting hybrid cotton trials on 125 acres nationwide, including Upper and Lower Sindh and the southern part of Punjab province. Each participating farmer is cultivating one-acre plots, with seed provided at a 50% discount. 'Our initial target was to bring 750 acres of land under trial, but the ban was lifted late, and sowing had almost been completed across the country. Out of the 125 acres currently under cultivation, 60 acres are in Punjab and the rest in Sindh. One-acre plot were chosen to assess the performance of the varieties under diverse weather conditions and soil types,' he explained. He said they had also carried out hybrid cotton trials in 2007, but with current higher temperatures and erratic weather patterns, they are now conducting fresh trials of varieties imported from Ethiopia. 'We recorded 85 percent higher production with these varieties in 2007, but the programme could not proceed further due to a ban on the import of hybrid cotton varieties. That ban has recently been lifted by the government. I'm grateful that the present government not only listened to my presentation on cotton in a recent meeting chaired by the Prime Minister but also made a positive decision within two months based on my recommendations,' he added. Initial field data is promising: although plant populations for hybrid varieties are lower (8,500 plants per acre vs. 17,000 in traditional varieties), boll formation is significantly higher, with averages of 250 to 300 bolls per plant; a marked improvement over the previous average of 150 to 200, he remarked. Replying to various queries, he said now the ball is in the court of private sector companies. Just as they introduced hybrid varieties of rice and maize and achieved record production, they should now promote hybrid cotton to create a win-win situation for themselves, for growers in the form of higher incomes, and for the country through increased cotton production. He added that they have so far spent over Rs 210–220 million on cotton seed research to maintain the reputation they earned by introducing high-yielding hybrid rice varieties. Industry leaders believe that with continued investment and strategic alignment with global best practices, Pakistan's cotton sector - a vital contributor to exports and rural employment - could soon be restored to its former strength. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Bykea enables digital payments amid user demand
Ride-hailing and delivery service provider Bykea on Wednesday announced that it was enabling digital payments for all rides in an effort to offer customers 'a seamless, secure, and cashless commuting experience'. In a post on LinkedIn, Bykea's chief operating officer and co-founder Rafiq Malik described the move as a 'significant milestone in Bykea's journey toward modernizing urban mobility in Pakistan'. With this update, passengers can now pay our Bykea's 'driver partners' via Easypaisa, JazzCash and online bank transfer. 'This shift is more than just a convenience—it's a transformative step toward financial inclusion and safer, more efficient travel,' said Malik. 'For customers who prefer not to carry cash or rely on digital wallets and bank transfers, this feature ensures a hassle-free payment experience while reducing the risks associated with cash handling,' he added. Malik said the move would not only improve user convenience but also contribute to a broader economic shift toward a cashless ecosystem — 'one that promotes transparency, security, and financial accessibility for all'. Speaking to Business Recorder, Malik said Bykea initially launched as a cash-first platform, mirroring Pakistan's reliance on cash transactions. However, demand from users pushed the company to embrace digital payments, coupled with ecosystem readiness: 'With Raast's launch and wallet penetration doubling, the timing aligned perfectly.' Raast is an instant payment system, developed by the State Bank of Pakistan. Malik added that while there was still no option for card payments yet, the company 'may consider integrating cards in the future.' Speaking about the process, he said 'this shift required one month of tech infrastructure upgrades and now we have the more important uphill task of driver/consumer education'. 'Bykea's move isn't just about payments—it's a gateway for Pakistan's informal economy (e.g., drivers, small merchants) to enter the digital mainstream,' he added. The announcement comes just days after Pakistani founded ride-hailing giant Careem said it was ending services in Pakistan. In a comment on his LinkedIn post, Malik said, 'Careem and our colleagues there played a pivotal role in pioneering ride-hailing in Pakistan, and we respect their contributions to the ecosystem'. 'Their presence pushed all of us to innovate and deliver better services for Pakistani consumers.'
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Chinese CG, APTMA leaders discuss trade ties
LAHORE: Chinese Consulate General and All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) leadership have resolved to upsurge bilateral trade, take maximum advantage of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and to explore possibilities of joint ventures in textile industry. Zhao Shiren Consul General of China, Li Haoteng, Commercial Counsellor and Wang Yaqiang, Vice Consul visited APTMA office on Tuesday and discussed in detail prospects, ways and means to increase volume of trade and joint ventures in textile industry. Dr Gohar Ejaz, Patron-in-Chief APTMA and Chairman APTMA Kamran Arshad welcomed the Chinese Consul General at APTMA. They were accompanied by Syed Ali Ahsan, former Chairman APTMA, Zonal Management Committee members including Haroon Ellahi, Muhammad Ali, Faisal Jawed, Ahsan Shahid, Ismail Fareed, Habib Anwar, leading textile exporters, Secretary General APTMA Shahid Sattar and Secretary General North Mohammad Raza Baqir. Speaking on the occasion, Zhao Shiren said both China and Pakistan enjoy strong economic and cultural relations and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an example of this robust relationship between both the countries. He highly appreciated the role of APTMA in general and of Dr Gohar Ejaz in particular in expansion of bilateral economic relations. He enumerated highly plausible services rendered by Dr Gohar Ejaz in cementing relation between China and Pakistan not only as Commerce Minister but also in his private capacity. He also spoke volume about community and welfare services being performed by Gohar Ejaz Foundation for poverty alleviation, medical services, educational and research uplift and industrialization of the country. Consul General highlighted expansion of bilateral trade since the signing of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 2006 and resolved to further uplift the said volume by taking maximum benefits from FTA. He noted that balance of trade is presently in favour of China and assured of his help to not only expand trade volume but also to bridge the gap in balance of trade. He informed that textile goods falling in more than 800 HS tariff lines of customs chapters 50 to 63 enjoy duty free status under FTA on import into China from Pakistan. He emphasised Pakistani textile industry to avail duty free regime widely liberalized for Pakistani textile products since implementation of Phase II of FTA in 2020. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
