Sindh Agriculture Minister Urges Cotton Support Price Increase

Pakistan, being one of the largest cotton producers globally, is facing a crucial issue regarding the support price of cotton. The Sindh government has emphasized the need for an increase in the cotton support price to assist farmers in the region. Sindh Agriculture Minister Muhammad BuxMahar has urged the federal government to raise the support price to Rs10 to 11,000 per 40kg. This call comes as a response to the current cotton rate in Pakistan, which ranges from Rs8,000 to Rs9,400 per 40kg, significantly impacting the economy and various sectors dependent on cotton.

Minister Mahar highlighted that the low support price has discouraged farmers from sowing cotton crops, potentially affecting not only the cotton industry but also other crops like rice. He expressed concerns about water distribution in the Khareef season, stressing the importance of Sindh receiving its fair share to sustain agricultural activities.

The current scenario has led to a 20% shortfall in cotton picking in Sindh, hindering the achievement of the targeted 640,000 hectares. Rejecting the existing three-dimension formula for water distribution by IRSA, Minister Mahar has underlined the necessity of revising the support price to alleviate the challenges faced by farmers and ensure the stability of the agricultural and textile sectors.

In conclusion, the demand for an increase in the cotton support price in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, reflects the critical need to support farmers and sustain the vital cotton industry. Addressing this issue promptly is essential to safeguarding the economy and ensuring the prosperity of the agricultural and textile sectors in the country.