Pakistan and China have formalized their collaboration to enhance cotton production in Pakistan through advanced technological methods by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Pakistan ranks as the fifth-largest global producer of cotton and holds the third position in cotton yarn production.
Contributing significantly to Pakistan’s economy, cotton represents 0.8% of the nation’s GDP and accounts for a substantial 51% of its total foreign exchange earnings. This sector underpins a thriving textile industry, which boasts over 1,000 ginning factories and approximately 400 textile mills nationwide.
The MoU, as reported by Radio Pakistan, marks a partnership between Pakistan’s Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AAIR) and China’s Institute of Cotton Research (ICR), part of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The agreement aims to leverage genetic technologies to elevate cotton production and position Pakistan’s cotton industry on a global stage.
China’s ICR, the only national-level body dedicated to cotton research, specializes in foundational and applied studies. It spearheads significant national projects addressing key scientific and technological challenges in cotton cultivation.
This agreement comes at a crucial time, as Pakistan faces a sharp rise in cotton imports due to diminished local production. The Pakistan Central Cotton Committee has noted a 34% year-on-year decline, with factories receiving only 5.51 million bales of cotton as of January this year.
