Chichawatni: South Punjab Saqib Agriculture Secretary Ali Attil’s surprise visit to Cotton Research Station Sahiwal, expressed his anger over the non-introduction of new varieties of cotton seeds for years, directed the Principal Scientist to issue a show cause notice, end unemployment and economic development of the country. It depends on agriculture. Development of the country is not possible without increasing cotton production, Saqib Ali Attil. According to details, Agriculture Secretary South Punjab Saqib Ali Attil paid a surprise visit to Cotton Research Station Sahiwal and reviewed the performance of the station in detail. He expressed deep displeasure for not introducing any new cotton seed after 2016 and not providing any kind of guidance to the farmers and directed to issue show-cause notices for poor performance. He said that the government is providing funds of lakhs of rupees every year for cotton research while the performance is zero which cannot be tolerated. He said that introducing new seeds to increase cotton production is the need of the hour without which it is not possible to meet the country’s needs and Pakistan will be forced to import billions of dollars worth of cotton every year. Saqib Ali Attil urged the officers of the Agriculture Department to maintain close contact with the farmers and give them timely advice to increase crop production. Earlier, while inspecting a field of cotton crop in Sahiwal, he said that there is a gradual increase in the area under cotton cultivation in Sahiwal division, farmers are preferring cotton cultivation after potato and maize. Which is welcome. He said that the farmers should cultivate approved varieties of cotton because the non-approved varieties are more attacked by harmful insects and diseases, which results in less yield. Secretary Agriculture Saqib Ali Attil further said that crops Subsidy is being provided on cotton seed including phosphorus and potash fertilizers to reduce the cost of production. On this occasion, Director Agriculture Extension Shehbaz Ahmed said that the area under cotton cultivation in Sahiwal Division increased last year and more than 100,000 acres were cultivated. About 2 thousand acres of cotton has been cultivated. For the practical guidance of the farmers, 3 to 5 acres of cotton exhibition plots are also being set up at the center level.
