5. PAKISTAN’S EXPERIENCE.

5.1 Pakistan's experience, achievements and distinctions in cotton have been studied in great detail, AFZAL (1993). Requirements of local textile industry and export market with regard not only to quantity but quality also are important. This aspect will also be studied in order to have a clear picture regarding cotton production and demand.

5.2 American upland cotton was introduced in the Punjab in 1884. In 1914, the first cultivar of up-land cotton namely 4-F was grown over an area of about 2,000 acres in Faisalabad district. The new crop made rapid progress and its area was separately recorded in the revenue record for first time in 1921, Roberts (1951).

5.3 As a matter of historical interest yield data of some provinces of pre-independence India is given in table 7.
 

 Source: Afzal, M. (1947) Problems in cotton improvement in the Punjab, II. Improvement in yield. Indian Cotton Growing Review Vol 1 No.3 July 1947.

It is interesting to note that yield in the Punjab and later on in Sindh was more than other cotton growing provinces of pre-independence India.

5.4 Yield data of Pakistan, is reproduced in Figure 1. Looking at the data, the first thing that strikes the eye, is that the yield since independence remained stagnant and ranged between 157 kgs, 212 kgs, up till 1959-60. During this period of stagnation, as many as seven new cultivars were approved and released for general cultivation; and by 1991, the number of cultivars released was 28. Effect of  cultivars or, shall we say breeding, was minimal. In 1952, pesticides were introduced. We saw the yield going up. Few years later, chemical fertilizers became popular; it raised the yield still higher. During 1971-72, the trade was nationalized, and we notice stagnation, or decline in yield, which continued till 1976-77; when another constraint was removed with the introduction of Seed Cotton Support Price. Yield improved as a result of introduction of Seed Cotton Support Price. If yield data from 1947 to 1983-84, is studied carefully, it will become apparent that, during this period the yield increased from 157 kgs. in 1947 to 338 kgs/ha. in 1982-83. If the effect of fertilizers, pesticides, mechanization and lastly the price support are ignored, the impact of new cultivars introduced during this period becomes almost NEGLIGIBLE.

1. Insecticides/Pesticides 2. Chemical Fertilizers 3. Cotton Support Price 4. Heat Resistant NIAB 78
5. CLCV

Source : ICAC

5.5 It is clear that breeding alone has not been the cause of increase in yield. Role played by constraints is quite clear.

5.6 The 1983-84 production was a hall mark in the history of Pakistan cottons. Firstly due to heavy rains at the wrong time and general crop failure, Pakistan was forced to import cotton for the first time in its history. Secondly. NIAB-78, a new heat resistant cultivar was approved for general cultivation. The impact of this and other heat resistant cultivars later on was dramatic. The performance of heat resistant cultivars speaks volumes regarding the effect of removal of this constraint on cotton production and the resultant improvement in the economy of Pakistan.

5.7 During 1993-94, cotton was hit by cotton leaf curl virus (CLCV) Yield and consequently production went down. Pakistan had to import cotton., mainly from CIS on a large scale. Virus resistant cultivars are being developed and yield has started to go up again. Lot of research work is still needed before CLCV is fully controlled.

5.8 In Figure 2, yields of Pakistan., China, India and CIS (USSR) are plotted. The three countries namely Pakistan, China and India produced 47.6% of total world's production of cotton during 1991-92. If CIS is also included, then the share goes upto 59.6%.

Yield data of CIS shows stagnation during the period 1975 to 1992. Yields in not only India but in many other cotton growing countries have also stagnated. Only in Pakistan, yield has shown a remarkable upward trend. THIS TRULY IS A SUCCESS STORY WORTH TELLING AND WORTH EMULATING.

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