Nasir Mahmood
COTTON, often called Pakistan’s “white gold,” has long been the backbone of the country’s agriculture and textile economy. It is not merely a cash crop but the principal raw material for the textile industry, Pakistan’s largest manufacturing sector and leading source of export earnings. Millions of farmers, labourers, ginners, traders and textile workers depend directly or indirectly on cotton for their livelihoods. Any decline in cotton production therefore affects employment, industrial output, exports and the country’s overall economic stability.
Unfortunately, Pakistan’s cotton sector has experienced a persistent decline during the past decade. Once ranked among the world’s leading cotton producers, Pakistan has slipped to around the ninth or tenth position globally. Cotton production during the 2025-26 season remained at only about 5.6 million bales, compared with nearly 15 million bales in 2014-15. The widening gap between domestic production and industrial demand has forced Pakistan to import substantial quantities of raw cotton each year, placing additional pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Recognizing the strategic importance of the crop, the Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) has fixed an ambitious production target of 9.64 million bales over 2.16 million hectares for the 2026-27 Kharif season. While the target reflects the government’s determination to revive cotton cultivation, achieving it will require practical reforms rather than ambitious projections alone. Federal Committee on Agriculture’s target of 9.64 million bales for 2026–27 and the USDA forecast of about 5.05 million bales.
Several factors have contributed to the decline. Repeated attacks of pink bollworm and whitefly continue to inflict heavy losses despite excessive use of pesticides. The widespread availability of uncertified and counterfeit seed has further reduced productivity, while the shortage of climate-resilient and pest-resistant varieties has limited farmers’ ability to cope with emerging challenges.
Increasing production costs, fluctuating market prices and the absence of an attractive support price have further reduced cotton’s profitability. Climate change has intensified these problems. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts and devastating floods have significantly reduced yields in major cotton-growing areas. Government support will remain critical for restoring farmers’ confidence. Providing certified seed at affordable prices, facilitating access to quality farm inputs, introducing crop insurance against climate-related losses and encouraging mechanization can significantly improve cotton productivity. Above all, Pakistan needs a consistent national cotton policy that ensures effective coordination among federal and provincial institutions, research organizations and the private sector.
Reviving Pakistan’s cotton economy is not merely an agricultural necessity but an economic imperative. Increasing domestic cotton production will reduce dependence on costly imports, save valuable foreign exchange, improve the trade balance, strengthen the textile industry and create employment across the value chain. With coordinated efforts, sustained investment and effective implementation of modern production technologies, the country can once again transform cotton into a powerful engine of economic growth and national prosperity.
—The writer is affiliated with University of Agriculture Faisalabad.
