Karachi: A significant reduction in cotton cultivation has raised alarms about the future of Pakistan’s agricultural sector, with concerns over rural livelihoods and the country's textile exports. Mian Zahid Hussain, President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, emphasized the urgent need for a ‘National Cotton Revival Programme’ to address these challenges.

According to Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics' Agricultural Census 2024-25 highlighted a 29 percent drop in the area under cotton cultivation since 2010, declining from 9.23 million acres to 6.51 million acres. Meanwhile, the cultivation of other crops such as wheat, rice, and maize has increased. This decline in cotton cultivation, now only about eight percent of the total cropped area, affects not only farmers but also the broader economy, impacting industrial production and export sectors reliant on cotton.

During the first nine months of FY2025-26, the textile sector, heavily dependent on domestic cotton, accounted for 59.6 percent of Pakistan’s total exports, generating $13.5 billion in foreign exchange. However, a continued decline in cotton production could increase reliance on imports, exacerbate poverty, and weaken Pakistan’s competitiveness in global markets. Factors such as low returns, expensive inputs, and climate challenges are driving farmers away from cotton cultivation.

Mian Zahid Hussain urged the government to implement a coordinated National Cotton Revival Programme, focusing on providing farmers with high-quality seeds and taking action against counterfeit agricultural products. He also highlighted the need for modern agricultural support systems, including pest surveillance and weather forecasting, and advocated for financial support measures for farmers. The Agricultural Census further revealed structural challenges within the sector, such as the increase in the number of farms and decline in average farm size, complicating efforts for mechanized farming and irrigation management.

Without immediate intervention, Pakistan risks increasing its dependency on imported cotton, thus weakening its economic stability and industrial growth.