NA body expresses concern over decline in cotton production

ISLAMABAD: Cotton production in the country is forecast to decline in 2024-25 due to high energy and financial costs, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) informed a parliamentary body.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research met with MNA Syed Hussain Tariq in the chair was informed by MNFS&R that cotton production in the country is forecasted to decline in 2024-25 due to high energy and financial costs which will constrain the textile sector’s growth.

The government has set a target of $25 billion in textile exports for 2023-24 but exports are expected to fall short of this goal, says a brief submitted by MNFS&R before the committee.

The committee expressed grave concerns over the perpetual decline in cotton production and cotton prices in the country.

Members highlighted the urgent need for effective remedies to stabilise and boost cotton production, including subsidies, better pest control measures, and the adoption of modern farming techniques.

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The committee termed the action taken by the government in the wake of last year’s wheat import scandal inadequate and constituted a sub-committee to probe the matter again to bring to book the people responsible for the scam.

The parliamentary also authorised the sub-committee to probe the non-provision of quality seed to the farmers. Import of wheat at the wrong time has caused irreparable damage to farmers across the country, Tariq said.

The majority of the members of the parliamentary body were of the view that the suspension of 14 to 15 government officials in the wake of the inquiry committee constituted by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif would play no role in preventing happening of such scams in future as well as recovering damages caused by the scam until action was not taken against the big fish involved in this scandal.

The committee also proposed setting up a special cell in MNFS&R for curbing the smuggling of wheat, sugar and other commodities from the country.