jasdooit

Pakistani and Chinese agricultural researchers have carried out successful trials for Pakistan’s first hybrid cotton seed variety, with commercial farming anticipated to start in 2029. ‘This relies on the current seed approval process,’ Shahzad Ali Malik, CEO of Guard Agricultural Research and Services Limited and Chairman of the Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA), said to Wealth Pakistan.

He stated that if a fast-track seed approval process is permitted, the trials could certainly be completed by 2028; otherwise, the timeline might extend further. At present, hybrid cotton trials are being carried out across 125 acres in Upper Sindh, Lower Sindh, and Southern Punjab.

Malik pointed out that hybrid cotton brings together the beneficial characteristics of two parent lines in the first generation (F1), leading to much higher production and increased resistance to stress because of 100% purity and consistency.

He pointed out that cotton hybrids could help close the growing gap between cotton fiber production and demand in Pakistan, a problem that has existed for the last 20 years. ‘The availability of high-quality seed to farmers will be a major turning point,’ he mentioned. Initial hybrid cotton trials were carried out in 2007. However, development was slowed down by shifting climate conditions—mainly increasing temperatures and unpredictable weather. The ongoing trials represent a renewed push after 18 years.

Biotechnologists and agricultural economists are optimistic about the progress of hybrid cotton varieties in Pakistan, considering it a significant turning point for the nation’s cotton industry. ‘This is a positive step for Pakistani farming, as it could increase cotton output, which has declined in recent years because of climate change and other issues,’ said Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik, a prominent biotechnologist and former federal minister for food security and research, speaking to Wealth Pakistan.

Dr. Malik mentioned that the creation of hybrid cotton would advantage both the agricultural community and the textile industry.

The director of Farmers Associates Pakistan and agricultural economist Ebadur Rehman Khan informed Wealth Pakistan that low production levels have led cotton farmers into financial hardship. “High-yielding cotton varieties can once more turn farming into a lucrative career,” he stated.

Khan noted that the curl leaf virus and climate change had obstructed previous efforts to create hybrid cotton. ‘It is hoped that the researchers have considered these issues while designing their experiments this time,’ he remarked.

He voiced optimism that the new cotton strains would also exhibit robust traits regarding lint quality and seed performance, helping Pakistan advance toward self-reliance in both food and fiber industries.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).