Crops in Pakistan Survive Virus Stress

By Jim.Robinson|September 30, 2009

September 25, 2009

Agriculture Ministry officials in Pakistan reported this week that cotton crops in the Punjab province have survived a nearly two-month-long bout with virus stress. Rising temperatures and a general water shortage in the region still threaten the crop, however. Attacks of armyworm are being managed in the area.

Farmers are now determining whether they will give the crop time to develop a third picking in early December. The Punjab province was expected to produce about 9.5 million bales, but that figure could change if farmers choose to forgo a third picking.

Wheat prices and cotton prices will affect the cotton crop decision as well. The optimum wheat sowing date for the region is November 20. Waiting for the cotton crop will come at the expense of wheat yields.

While the government initially estimated nationwide cotton production from the next crop at 15 million bales, the latest estimates peg the crop at closer to 14 million bales. Last season’s crop totaled 12.8 million bales.

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Anonymous says:

September 26, 2011 at 3:11 pm

Any downgrading of Pakistan crop is bound to tilt Asian cotton market in favour of bullish prices.

I,am a cotton grower in Distt. RAHIM YAR KHAN,Punjab,the biggest cotton producing District in Pakistan.The cotton crop in my area is is badly affected by CCLV,there has been a serious shortage of water in the canal systems,the hot spell continues.The first picking has started,average first pick is 50% or lesser than the last year.The canal system has shut down for the season on 10th of Oct.I do,not see any third picking with out water.I suspect all these yield goals are manufactured buy the MINFAL.They do,not match with the actual yield in the field.I do,not see any thing coming close even to their estimated or expected yield goals.

December 22, 2011 at 1:35 am