The cotton cultivation and production performance for 2024-25 highlights a significant shortfall, revealing a concerning decline compared to the previous year. Nationally, a target of 3.118 million hectares was set for cotton cultivation; however, only 1.974 million hectares were achieved—merely 63% of the target. This marks a 17% decline compared to 2023-24. A deeper provincial analysis underscores specific challenges and opportunities.
In Punjab, the cotton cultivation target was 1.680 million hectares, but actual planting was limited to 1.304 million hectares—78% of the target and 22% lower than the previous year. This decline coincided with a notable 22% increase in the cultivation of alternative crops such as sugarcane, rice, maize, and sesame. In Sindh, 0.550 million hectares were cultivated against a target of 0.630 million hectares, achieving 87% of the target but reflecting a 14% decrease from the previous year.
The 2024 cotton season brought unprecedented challenges that severely affected cultivation and production. Adverse weather conditions at the start of the season disrupted seed germination due to unusually low temperatures. This issue, compounded by seedling disease in several regions, delayed early planting from February to March. Such delays not only reduced yields but also added financial and logistical burdens on farmers.
Despite the presence of various public and private institutions dedicated to cotton research and development, a large proportion of farmers continue to rely on unapproved and uncertified seed varieties. These varieties have contributed to lower yields and exacerbated vulnerabilities to pests such as whiteflies and pink bollworms. The severe pest infestations caused substantial crop losses, further complicating the challenges faced by the sector.
Extreme weather conditions during June and July were particularly damaging. Heatwaves drove temperatures as high as 48°C, resulting in issues such as fruit shedding. Additionally, unseasonal rainfall further damaged standing crops, significantly affecting yields in various areas. These climatic factors have restricted overall production, with estimates suggesting total output may be limited to 5.5–6 million bales by the end of the season, far below the country’s requirements.
Punjab, where a target of 4.2 million acres was set, managed to achieve only 3.2 million acres of cultivation. Similarly, Sindh experienced declines due to extreme weather, rainfall, and various agronomic challenges. These factors not only reduced yields but also had a severe economic impact on farmers, further destabilizing the agricultural sector.
The continuation of this downward trend in cotton production, as witnessed in recent years, poses a serious threat to Pakistan’s economy and agricultural sustainability. The root causes include ineffective agricultural policies, inadequate research funding, and the escalating impacts of climate change. The absence of a guaranteed support price further exacerbated the financial strain on farmers, compelling many to shift to more lucrative crops. Additionally, price fluctuations in international markets and instability in local markets added to the challenges faced by growers.
To address these issues and safeguard the cotton sector, immediate and comprehensive measures are essential. There is a need for the announcement of a support price to provide financial security to farmers. Limiting the cultivation of alternative crops like sugarcane and rice in key cotton-growing regions would encourage cotton planting. Adequate funding should be allocated to research institutions to develop high-yield, climate-resilient seed varieties. Effective pest management strategies must be implemented to protect crops from infestations. Moreover, regulating the cotton market to eliminate the dominance of intermediaries would stabilize prices and ensure direct benefits for farmers. Finally, providing farmers with training in modern agricultural practices and the tools to adapt to climate challenges is crucial.
The challenges of the 2024 cotton season underscore the urgent need for strategic reforms. Failure to act promptly will further erode Pakistan’s position in global cotton production, with dire consequences for the economy and the textile industry.