Cotton crop is of paramount importance for the stability of the country’s economy. Now, DNA fingerprinting and breeder rights are required for the approval of new varieties to provide quality agricultural inputs to cotton growers and in order to curb the sale of substandard seeds.
Present Government is also providing millions of rupees subsidy on approved varieties of cotton seeds and other agricultural inputs to the farmers to ensure rehabilitation of cotton crop this year. These views were expressed by Provincial Minister for Agriculture Syed Hussain Jahanian Gardezi while addressing a seminar organized by Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, for cotton crop growers. Minister for Agriculture Hussain Jahanian Gardezi while congratulating the Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, Punjab University, Lahore on the discovery of 6 new varieties of cotton said that the services of this institute are very important for the promotion of cotton.
He further said that agricultural scientists should discover new varieties of cotton keeping in view the climate change. He stressed on the importance of using cotton varieties approved by the Department of Agriculture, Punjab for the cultivation of cotton and the importance of the academia and industry working together for revival of cotton.
On the occasion, Secretary Agriculture, Punjab Asad Rehman Gilani addressing the seminar said that due to the drought in California this year, cotton is expected to fetch higher prices in international markets. The current year will be a year of prosperity for cotton growers.
