3    Attacks on Pakistan cotton

Pakistan used to be and still is a one crop economy. Cotton is the blood of the economy and attention being paid to it is scandalous. Many attempts, some by ourselves and some by our enemies have been made to destroy the cotton culture of the country. Following is the list of attempts made

3.1    Deltapine Smooth Leaf (DPSL)

3.1.1    Seed of this cultivar was brought into Pakistan illegally. It was first grown during early sixties in a few selected villages where seed and plant protection were provided free of cost. Of course, DPSL was a beautiful cotton, gave a good yield and became instantly popular with the farmers and spinners. However, when the farmers were asked to provide their own plant protection cover, (at time as many as 16 sprays were needed to control pests) the cultivar failed to produce the desired economic benefit for the farmers.

3.1.2    The farmers abandoned it and all that was left behind was American Boll worm which was not present before the introduction of DPSL. We are even today trying to control the pest. This was the FIRST ATTACK on Pakistani cotton.

3.2    MS 39 AND MS 40

3.2.1    These two cultivars were evolved at Multan during mid 60s. For the first time upland cotton cultivars of 11/4 inch staple length were evolved. The importance of delaying the release, stabilizing the staple length and improving the micronaire was emphasized at that time. This was not to be. Cultivars were released and to distribute the seed a LONG STAPLE ASSOCIATION was formed. Affairs were mismanaged and the cultivars vanished after 2-3 years. This may be considered as the SECOND ATTACK on cotton.

3.3    Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCV)

This is the THIRD ATTACK on cotton .This scourge suddenly appeared in early nineties. Some so called friendly quarters suggested that Pakistan, like Sudan should stop growing cotton for three years. It was argued that during this time the virus will die. Luckily, better sense prevailed and evolution of CLCV resistant route was taken.

Few cultivars which were claimed to be CLCV resistant were released. THEY WERE NOT. Some scientists claimed to have isolated the gene responsible for CLCV. This claim was also unsound. The proof is that had the gene really been isolated then CLCV would have been eradicated. It is suggested that GOP should take a very serious view of this and take stern action against those scientists who in the past have been claiming false successes against CLCV. They should be made to explain their false claims as CLCV is still ravaging the cotton crop. Another point agitating the minds of the people is, "Why is CLCV present on Pakistan’s side and is non-existent across the border?" AN ENQUIRY INTO THE CLCV EPISODE IS IN ORDER.

3.4    Establishment of sugar mills in prime cotton growing areas

3.4.1    GOP has been sanctioning sugar mills in prime cotton growing areas. It must be taken notice of that some cotton area has gone over to sugar cane. This is in fact the FOURTH ATTACK on cotton in Pakistan. It must be noted that more water is required for sugar cane than for cotton. Excessive irrigation not only causes water logging but also creates shortage of water for other crops. Sugar cane is a one year crop while cotton is 140-150 days crop which makes cotton-wheat-cotton rotation possible. Cotton v/s sugar cane has been dealt with at length by Afzal and Baluch (2007).

3.5    BT Cotton (Bacillus thuringiersis)

3.5.1    Bacillus thuringiersis occurs naturally in soil. According to Iqbal (2006), Shigetane Ishiwarti was the first biologist who discovered BT in 1901. However, Ernest Barliner rediscovered BT and named it as such. More than 150 insects are susceptible to BT. In Pakistan BT based pesticides did not perform well, perhaps due to the high temperatures in this area.

3.5.2    Iqbal (2006) has studied the performance of BT cotton in India and in China and his observations are reproduced below.

Government of India's Department of Bio-technology (DBT) allowed import of 100 gms of transgenic Cocker, 312 from USA in 1995. During 1998 DBT permitted small trials of BT cotton. On January 6, 1999, Vandana Shiva's Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology went to the Supreme Court challenging the “illegality "of field trials by DBT. Large scale trials were held in July 2000. Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) ordered BT cotton fields to be burnt in Gujarat in 2001.

Monsanto claimed 58% increase in yield on country basis, and an increase of 60% in the income of the farmer. However, an independent enquiry by some agricultural scientists found against BT cotton on all accounts. India refused to renew the license in 2005. However, indigenously produced BT cottons have done well. In China, Monsanto collaborated with Chinese scientists and developed a BT cotton cultivar which was a success. During 2005 it has been estimated that 40% area was under Bollgard BT cotton (Monsanto) and 60% was under indigenous BT cotton. China Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) has developed a hybrid cultivar which gave a higher yield than BT cotton.

3.5.3    In Pakistan, it has been reported that BT cotton seed had been smuggled from India .The seed was 3-4 years old (what did we expect). It did not perform well at all. This was the FIFTH ATTACK. It must be understood that BT cotton as well as hybrid seeds have to be renewed every year. Old seeds WILL NOT perform well. Pakistan should not buy seed from Monsanto or import from India. Seeds from crops grown from Monsanto supplied seed have to be given back /crushed. New seed has to be purchased afresh next year. We must not depend upon foreigners for seed. We should produce our own seed. After all that is what NIBGE was set up for the interest of the industry.

3.6    Mealy Bug

3.6.1    This is the latest scourge to hit not only cotton but some fruit trees as well. Cotton production has suffered heavily as a result. Again, like CLCV it exists only on this side of the border. This is intriguing and deserves narrow focus attention and enquiry as this is considered to be the SIXTH ATTACK.

3.7    Import of illegal cotton seed

3.7.1    During 1991-92 someone imported one container of cotton seed without government knowledge, testing and quarantine (SEVENTH ATTACK). Cotton seed, unlike wheat and rice seed, requires special handling, quarantine requirements, etc. Without these safe guards it can cause severe problem. Example of DPSL and the recent import/smuggling of BT cotton seed from India should make us cautious. If we err we must err on the side of caution.

3.8    Picking and ginning

3.8.1    Cotton has the highest grade and is cleanest, while it is still on the plant. Thereafter grade and cleanliness suffers and it is ginning which cleans the cotton and enhances grade. There are three methods of picking (hand picking, spindle picking and machine stripped) and two methods of ginning (roller ginning and saw ginning). Hand picking is the best and cleanest but labour intensive. In the West farms are large and labour is expansive, therefore machine picking is preferred. The amount of foreign matter picked up with seed cotton is given in Table 6.

3.8.2    We have been and are constantly being advised to train pickers. This is another bogey. Pickers have generations of transmitted experience and some pseudo-intellectuals are telling us to train pickers (what a joke!). Hundred percent of Pakistan cotton is saw ginned. If a proper premium is paid for cleaner cotton, the ginner will produce cleaner lint. Blaming pickers and ginners is not fair. As a matter of fact one of the scribes takes it as an INSULT AND UNFAIR (EIGHTH) ATTACK ON COTTON.

3.9    Dams and irrigation water

3.9.1    Pakistan is a water deficit country with the result that not only agriculture suffers; there is shortage of potable water as well. India is building a number of dams in contravention of the Indus Water Treaty. In contrast, how many dams has Pakistan built to store irrigation water and generate power in TEN YEARS? The answer to this question speaks volumes about the negligence and indifferent attitude of GOP (NINTH ATTACK). It is emphasized that this problem may be handled on war footing.

3.10    Education

3.10.1    Education plays a vital role in the making of mankind/nation. We have been neglecting education at own peril. The first revelation of GOD was 'IQRA". It tells how much importance GOD Al Mighty attaches to education.

Agriculture is unique that it is the only industry which requires EXTENSION SERVICE. This important service without proper education is impossible. Farming is the same. The importance attached to education is evident from Table 7.

Note: All of the above institutions except the last two were set up by the British Indian government. We have been, till recently, neglecting education (TENTH ATTACK).

3.11    Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC)

Pakistan Institute Of Cotton Research And Technology (PICRT)

3.11.1    PCCC was established in 1948 by an act of Parliament. The act was called The Cotton Cess Act (Act No XIV of 1923). To finance PCCC, a cess was imposed on every bale of cotton either consumed within the country or exported. The current rate of cess is Rs 20 per bale of 170 kg.

3.11.2    PCCC at its first meeting approved the establishment of PICRT. Eventually, the Institute was established. PICRT was functional by 1956 and was inaugurated by CH .Muhammad Ali, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan. PCCC and PICRT are premier research organizations of cotton. PCCC supplements the research effort of the provinces as well.

3.11.3    Complete details regarding the establishment and finally the demolition are given by AFZAL& AHMAD (2006). A magnificent building and research facilities were demolished during 2006 along with a mosque (Shaheed) to make way for the construction of a foreign embassy. No suitable housing has been provided as PCCC and PICRT are at present housed in a rental building from where they are being evicted. CAN ANYONE IMAGINE A BIGGER TRAGEDY THAN THIS?

3.11.4    Scientific research depends on scientists. Number of highly qualified scientists (PhDs) and availability of equipment are important. Critical number of highly trained personnel is essential for meaningful results. This aspect has been criminally neglected by PCCC. The number of PhDs presently working in PCCC are as follows: At PCCC Headquarters, there are two individuals and one is on extension and the second one is due to retire in 2009. There is no one holding a PHD degree at PICRT. Cotton Research Institute, Multan has three PHDs and PCCC has been claiming to develop this Institute into a Centre of Excellence -- on three PhDs!!). Similarly the  Cotton Research Institute, Sakrand has only one individual with a PHD degree. Altogether, there are six Post graduate individuals in Pakistan. This lack of highly trained personnel can be considered as the ELEVENTH ATTACK.

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