The Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) on Tuesday urged the government to declare an emergency for arresting rapidly falling cotton production.

It also sought a ban on cultivation of paddy and sugarcane as well as setting up of sugar mills in areas already earmarked for cotton crop.

Expressing deep concern over falling cotton production figures, which went from 15 million bales to 10.20m bales for current cotton season 2019-20, the body said the government needs to immediately launch an action plan for bringing in more area under cotton crop cultivation.

The cultivation of sugarcane in areas earmarked for cotton as well as supply of uncertified seed and pesticides are major factors behind rapid fall in cotton production, KCA said in a press release.

For ensuring higher yield of cotton per acre the government should ensure supply of certified cotton seed to growers and also create awareness among farmers to switch over to modern integrated pest management system.

Moreover, revamp and gear-up Pakistan Central Cotton Committee and all cotton research institutes with a task to evolve high yield and virus resistant seed varieties.

All measures should be taken by the government to ensure import of certified pesticides in small packing instead of bulk in order to avoid adulteration.