Agriculture experts on Wednesday called for tangible steps to combat environmental hazards affecting growth of cotton; improper usage of cotton seeds and climate change that may reduce 20 percent average cotton production by 2040.

A delegation of Ministry of Textile Industry (MINTEX) visited the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and called on UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan and deans and directors at Syndicate Room. The team was led by Senior Joint Secretary Mintex, Rubina Wasti. Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that adaptive measures were prerequisite to sustain cotton productivity in the context of climate change. He said that setback to cotton production last year had caused the loss worth billions of rupees to the national economy. He said that not only climates changes but other factors including improper usage of seed were the reasons behind the loss. He said that UAF was conducting various researches on cotton to increase the yield in every condition. We are disseminating the modern methods to framers that will enable them to get better production. He urged the scientists to help farmer and serve the community that will help increase the productivity and alleviate the poverty. Rubina Wasti said that cotton was the market of 40 billion rupees if we increase and improve trading, farmers and industries in cotton countries market can make the development massively. She said that we must conduct activities to reduce the communication gap between academia and researches so we can interrelate information to each other. She said that from November 30 to October 4, international conference will be held in which work on cotton will be discussed. UAF Agriculture Dean Dr Riaz Ahmad said that seven departments of university were working to research on cotton field. He urged the scientists to come with good quality of cotton for industrialization benefit and farmers. He said to improve cotton crop in our region is to vanish lack of awareness about cotton to cotton producers.Chairman Department Entomology Principal Officer Dr Jalal Arif said that entomology was conducting different researches on insects affecting cotton. He also said that they had introduced parasites to control millibug and sucking insects which reduce the yield of cotton. He said that they will conduct all sort of researches on insects affecting cotton to improve cotton yield. Director ORIC Dr Asalm Mirza said that the cotton production had faced 35 percent decline last year that is a challenge for researchers and other stakeholders to work jointly on the issue. He said that tangible steps were being taken on the part of the researchers to cope with the situation. Dr Ashfaq Chatha said by increasing the plant density to 18 percent and increase nitrogen up to 25 percent, we can solve the problems of climate change affecting cotton. Other notables Dr Khalid Abdullah (cotton commissioner), Ch Ramzan Ali, Dr Muhammad Ali Talpur, Dr Mansoor Sahi, Dr Rashid Rasul, Dr Masooma, Dr Shah Nawaz, Dr Abid, and other notables also spoke on the occasion.