Experts advise not to cultivate maize, sugar cane in cotton zone

By Jehangir Khan Tareen

A two day Sino-Pak International conference concluded with a set of recommendations advising farmers not to cultivate maize and sugar cane in cotton growing zones in the country.

The second session of the conference ended at Jinnah auditorium of Bahauddin Zakariay University wherein delegates from home and abroad suggested that framers should not use extensive pesticides because it  has led to increase in resistant white fly  bio-types which were more efficient in begomorvirus transmission.

Precision agriculture to overcome the current challenges of climate change and  The inappropriate spread of fertilizers, urea top dressing on hot soil, and late season application of N fertilizer should be discouraged besides storage  of cotton sticks, the experts recommended.

They also suggested development of mechanical picking friendly varieties and  exploitation of potential of inter specific Cotton hybrids to improve Cotton.

Use of new technologies like CRISPR/dCas9 based genome editing technology and molecular approaches to compliment conventional breeding and development of short duration varieties to reduce extensive losses due to heat stress and development of varieties with low water requirements Identification of white fly species/bio-types transmitting begomoviruses in Cotton to devise effective management strategy were recommended.

The experts said that use of cotton shredder to shred unopened bolls and cotton sticks to manage pink boll worm along with observations on behavior of insects to devise management strategies and  focus on natural fauna for sustainable management of white fly would also help in better yield of cotton. 

Speaking on the occasion, Advisor to CM Punjab on Cotton, Abdul Hai Dasti said that agriculture was the top priority of the government saying it was part of PTI govt too.

He stated that Prime Minister,Imran Khan, was focusing on Agriculture adding that Pakistan was peace of Heaven on land  but unfortunately, it did not have sincere leadership in the past.

Imran Khan was much sincere to the country, Mr Hai said and added that all of us would observe lot of change after 5 years of PTI government.

Economic condition of the farmers, who are facing adverse situation now, would be improved soon, he hoped.

Addressing the concluding session, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University VC, Dr Asif Ali informed that next session of the conference would be held in China next year.

He stated that   Cotton was his " first love" adding that this years 60 per cent presentations were from Pakistan while 40 pc from China, USA, Iran, Malaysia and Turkey suggesting that next year it should be 50-50 from Pakistani and other countries delegates.

Chinese  Scientist, Dr Zhang Rui  said that the conference came to an ended successfully after one and half day.

She announced the the next conference would be organized in China next year and invited all the  participating delegates  to attend it.

Acting VC BZU, Dr Masood Akhtar extended vote of thanks. A large number of students, agri scientists,and faculty members attended the concluding session.