Biotech Updates

Pakistan Sets Production Target of 9.7 M Bales of Cotton

June 18, 2010

Punjab Minister for Agriculture Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh says that the target production of 9.7 million bales of cotton will be achieved by cultivating newly approved genetically modified (GM) and hybrid varieties of cotton. He made this forecast during a meeting with farmers in Lahore.

The Minister also stressed that strict measures are being taken against seed companies who are involved in selling fake and sub-standard cotton seed. Officers of the agriculture department have been directed to guide farmers on timely cultivation of the crop. About 78 thousand acres have been designated for cotton cultivation in Punjab province this year with 2 thousand acres already being cultivated. Bt cotton varieties were approved for commercialization by the Punjab Seed Council after a process that took eight years.

 For the full report visit http://www.agripunjab.gov.pk/index.php?n=13&r=0