September 5, 2025, Friday
By Sajid Mahmood
Since its establishment, the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) has served as the central institution for cotton research and development in the country, maintaining a coordinated and organized national research structure. Over time, as the institution faced weakening and challenges, a gradual decline in cotton production began. The first significant setback occurred when the cotton cess was discontinued, which had provided essential financial resources for research and development. Subsequently, key forums related to cotton, such as the Cotton Crop Management Group, were moved from PCCC’s research institutions to platforms that were not directly involved with cotton research or practical issues. This disrupted the linkage between research and field application, leaving farmers without timely scientific guidance. Similarly, several of PCCC’s other subcommittees were unable to operate at full capacity, leading to delays in critical research and technical decisions, and affecting timely decision-making at the national level.
The situation was further complicated by the fact that various agricultural educational institutions continued to receive substantial funds over the years for multiple cotton projects, yet no significant outcomes emerged. These institutions did not produce notable cotton varieties suitable for farmers, nor did they develop technologies directly beneficial to farmers, while genuine research institutes could not progress to their full potential due to limited resources.
Another major challenge arose from the prolonged lack of recruitment and promotions for agricultural scientists within PCCC. As senior scientists retired, new talent was not inducted, creating a gap that disrupted decades of continuous research. Valuable experience and scientific knowledge could not be passed on to the new generation, which significantly affected cotton research and innovation. During this period, activities of certain individuals aiming to promote their own seed businesses rather than advancing agricultural research also contributed to the situation. They formed networks within and outside the institution whose purpose was personal gain rather than national interest. This weakened the national research structure and accelerated the decline in cotton production.
All this occurred while PCCC’s system was operating successfully at the national level, and Pakistan was counted among the major cotton-producing countries. However, certain vested interests prioritized personal and group benefits over national interest, undermining a research structure that formed the foundation of one of the country’s most important economic sectors. This marked the beginning of a continuous decline in cotton production, weakening research, halting technology transfer, and leaving farmers without necessary support. Today, the deteriorating condition of cotton reflects the logical outcome of this institutional weakening.
To support an increase in cotton production and development, it is essential that the merger process between PCCC and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) be completed as soon as possible. According to the Cabinet Division decision, this merger was to be finalized by June 30, 2025. The merger can prevent the loss of research resources and establish a coordinated and integrated national research system, facilitating sustainable development in cotton and other crops. The government and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research have made a strategic decision to ensure the survival of the institution and to promote cotton research and development, which should be implemented promptly.
Similarly, according to the July 9, 2025 agreement between PCCC and APTMA regarding pending cotton cess payments, the first installment has not yet been paid by textile mills. Delays in the merger process and cotton cess settlements are likely to affect federal-level research activities and efforts to increase cotton production.