18. EPILOGUE,

18.1 Cotton plant is grown to obtain lint. The lint has various characteristics length, strength, fineness, maturity etc. which underline its .value and also to some extent the value of value-added derivatives like yarn, fabric and garments. Particular attention need, therefore, be paid to breed a cultivar which will be high yielder, produces its own fertilizer and pesticides and produces lint of desired colour and shade with high -length, strength and fineness.

18.2 Experience has clearly shown that breeder alone can not achieve the desired results. His efforts have got to be augmented by other disciplines like agronomy, entomology, physiology etc. Therefore, it is necessary that a package of cotton production technology be developed The package then would also need. to be demonstrated to the farmers in order to convince them that proven technology can ensure better crop hence better income.

18.3 Introduction of a particular gene through genetic engineering has become feasible and important,. It is now possible to engineer a plant so that it produces desirable results i.e. resistant to insects, lint of desired physical characteristics etc.

18.4 Organic and environment friendly cotton cultivars need more attention.

18.5 Agricultural productivity especially that of cotton must be increased. In view of the fact that area is finite ("they are not making it any more".) and population exploding (which must be checked) INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY IS THE ONLY OPTION AVAILABLE.

18.6 Ginning needs improvement. It is no longer a low technology operation, it has already moved up to precision engineering and high-tech operation.

18.7 Research of cotton need to be upgraded and effect on all sectors of cotton will have to match the scale on which research is carried out on MMF.

18.8 Government will have to decide as a matter of policy whether cotton production is to be preferred over sugarcane or the other way round.

18.9 Input costs of the farmers should be rationalized so as to give the farmer a fair return for his labor.

18.10 To avoid contamination, COTTON CLOTH should be used from picking to bale wrapping.

18.11 Pakistan cotton’s quality suffers from excessive trash. No research whatsoever has been carried out to improve the ginning process. Ginning Research Institute must be setup without any further delay.

18.13 Ginner, in Pakistan, is a trader who buys seed cotton and sells lint and cotton seed. He is not bothered about the trash. To improve the quality of lint, on one hand ginner must be trained and be motivated and on the other hand CUSTOM GINNING SHOULD BE POPULARIZED.

18.14 Lint Standards evolved by PCSI must be enforced.

18.15 Cotton cess should be spend only on cotton research.

18.16 Last and not the least, researchers should be told to:

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