Pakistan’s cotton sector received a boost as senior officials reviewed important research work at the Cotton Research Institute (CRI) Multan. The visit focused on assessing the progress of new cotton varieties and improving farming strategies for better crop production.
The Cotton Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC), Dr Khadim Hussain, visited the institute to inspect the National Coordinated Varietal Trials (NCVT) and other ongoing field experiments. During the visit, he carefully examined trial planning, crop samples, and early research data.
Dr Hussain highlighted that the initial findings from these trials could play a major role in selecting better cotton varieties for farmers in the future. The NCVT committee also reviewed advanced cotton lines and praised the scientific progress made by researchers.
Special attention was given to the yield potential, disease resistance, insect resistance, and the ability of new cotton lines to survive under changing climate conditions. CRI Chief Scientist Muhammad Jameel explained the technical details of the field trials and data collection process to the visiting team.
The delegation also inspected advanced cotton varieties such as Cyto-547, CIM-990, Cyto-548, CIM-810, and CIM-801, along with high-density planting (HDP) and mulching trials. These methods are expected to improve cotton productivity and support sustainable farming practices.
Dr Hussain appreciated the efforts of the institute’s scientists and stressed the need to speed up the screening of non-Bt cotton varieties, especially for regions like Balochistan, where there is strong potential for cultivation.
He reaffirmed the PCCC’s commitment to reviving Pakistan’s cotton industry by developing better seed varieties, improving seed quality, and ensuring farmers benefit from modern agricultural research. Experts believe these efforts can strengthen cotton production and support the country’s agricultural economy.
