On April 7, Pakistan and China agreed to boost cotton production through cutting-edge technologies. The agreement was sealed between Pakistan’s Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) and China’s Institute of Cotton Research (ICR), with both parties signing an MoU aimed at fortifying Pakistan’s cotton sector. This collaboration seeks to tackle issues within cotton cultivation and elevate productivity levels.
Cotton plays a crucial role as a cash crop in Pakistan. It stands as the world’s fifth-biggest cotton producer and holds the position of being the third largest exporter of cotton yarn. This sector accounts for 0.8% of Pakistan’s overall Gross Domestic Product and constitutes about half—specifically 51%—of the nation’s revenue from exports. Moreover, this industry sustains more than 1,000 ginning facilities along with approximately 400 textile plants across the country.
As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both AARI and ICR will concentrate on boosting cotton productivity via advancements in genetics. Their objective is to elevate Pakistan’s standing within the global cotton sector. Notably, ICR stands as China’s sole national institute dedicated to cotton research, addressing various issues faced during cultivation. Conversely, AARI has maintained its position at the forefront of agricultural studies since 1962.
This partnership emerges as Pakistan grapples with increasing cotton imports. The domestic output has plummeted significantly, witnessing a 34% decline in cotton bales delivered to mills this year. Particularly in Punjab, which is the principal area for cotton cultivation, production plunged more than 36%, amounting to just 2.7 million bales. The aim of this alliance is to counteract these declines and rejuvenate the cotton industry.