Tandojam (Report by Mehboob Hussain Bozdar) — Agricultural experts have warned that cotton cultivation in Sindh and several other parts of Pakistan is rapidly disappearing, with production having dropped by nearly 50% over the past 15 years due to climate change, water scarcity, and unsustainable farming practices. These concerns were raised during the “Cotton Festival 2025”, organized at Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam, by the Center for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) in collaboration with SAU’s Business Incubation Center.

In his keynote address, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal said that cotton production in Pakistan has been declining steadily. He attributed the decline to climate change, water shortages, exploitation by commission agents, unfair pricing, rising production costs, and reduced export quality. He highlighted that traditional cotton belt districts such as Multan, Ghotki, and Sanghar are now shifting toward sugarcane and rice cultivation, a trend he described as “deeply alarming.”

Dr. Siyal emphasized the urgent need to develop climate-resilient cotton varieties, strengthen research collaborations, and improve institutional linkages to restore cotton’s place in the national economy.

CABI Project Manager Dr. Haibatullah Asad presented data showing that cotton yields have fallen by more than half over the past 15 years, calling it a serious threat to Pakistan’s agricultural economy. He revealed that nearly 65% of all chemical pesticides used in Pakistan target cotton, posing significant environmental and health hazards. Dr. Asad added that CABI has trained over 30,000 farmers in eco-friendly pest control techniques to minimize chemical use and promote sustainable production.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed Nahiyon, the FAO Sindh Coordinator, stressed that restoring Pakistan’s cotton sector requires a complete restructuring of the supply chain — from seed development to market and export systems. He insisted that farmers must be placed at the center of policy-making, as their role is crucial for market access and agricultural sustainability.

PARC Director Juma Khan Bajkani shared that during the 2024–25 fiscal year, Pakistan recorded one of the lowest wheat outputs in its history, with Sindh districts such as Sanghar, Ghotki, and others among the most severely affected.

Alongside the seminar, a cotton-related agricultural and cultural exhibition was held, featuring stalls from SAU, CABI, government departments, private companies, and welfare organizations.