China's Cooperation In Cotton Sector Will Be Game Changer: Dr Sagher

MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jan, 2017 ) : Director Cotton Research Station (CRS), prominent cotton scientist Dr Sagher has said that China's cooperation in cotton sector and the vital addition of a Bio Technology Lab in Punjab would be a game changer for cotton in the country.

Under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project,China is establishing Bio Technology Lab for superior quality and disease-resistant varieties of cotton and other crops. Chinese experts visited Multan, Lahore and some other cities earlier to check suitable place for establishing Bio Technology Lab.

"Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology approved the project and Biotechnology Lab would be introduced in Lahore. I hope it would start working in the ongoing year", Dr Sagher said while talking to APP here.

He said that China would provide genes and basic research would be conducted in Lahore and Applied Research in Multan. To a query, on the difference between crop cultivation in both countries, Dr Sagher observed that Chinese farmers used to cultivate 80,000 short stature plants while Pakistani farmers cultivate only 15,000 cotton plants on one acre.

"It is very easy to eliminate weeds in fields of short heighted cotton varieties. In Pakistan, there are tall varieties in which it is difficult for farmers to remove weeds properly". The Cotton Scientist further remarked that cotton experts of both countries would share experience which would be benefit for cotton sector.

China has made tremendous progress in cotton sector during the last few years.In 50s there was slight difference in per acre cotton yield between Pakistan and China as Pakistan was producing an average of 4.5 maunds from one acre,while China was getting five maunds average cotton from one acre.

China improved its production to average 50 maunds while Pakistan's production is nearly 20 maunds (average), Director Cotton Research Station informed.