DERA GHAZI KHAN: Ghazi University hosted a seminar on “Cotton Restoration: Strategies for Sustainable Production and Market Demand,” addressing the critical challenges facing Pakistan’s cotton sector.

Organised by the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ashfaq Ahmed, the event drew experts, including Prof Dr Abdul Qayyum of Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, farmer Jamilur Rehman Khan Buzdar, and Dr Pir Muhammad Idrees, as keynote speakers.

The seminar was attended by officers from the Department of Agriculture DG Khan, faculty members from the Faculty of Agriculture, and a large number of students. Dr. Masood Qadir, Lecturer in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, moderated the event.

The guest speakers emphasised the importance of cotton to Pakistan’s economy, noting its role as a primary raw material for the textile industry and a major source of employment.

They addressed the decline in cotton production and quality in recent years and proposed solutions such as adopting modern agricultural techniques, balanced fertilizer usage, better seed selection, farmer training, and policy reforms.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ashfaq Ahmed highlighted the impact of climate change on cotton production, stressing the need to develop climate-resilient seeds and prioritize organic and sustainable cotton production to meet global market demand. He also called for the establishment of new research centers and initiatives to boost cotton exports.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2024