Alert issued after record decline in cotton production 

Economic research institute, Economic Policy and Business Development (EPBD), has issued an alert after record decline in cotton production was recorded, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

According to experts, cotton production has fallen by more than 30 percent this year. 

Decline in cotton production poses a major threat to the economy, experts said.

They suggested that increased cultivation should be done to increase cotton production. 

Cotton cultivation by mid-April can give better yields, EPBD report said.

Early cultivation is better to protect the cotton crop from damage by climate change while late sowing of cotton can be dangerous due to climatic effects, report further said. 

Report said late sowing of cotton increases the risk of attacks by pink bollworm and late sowing of cotton can affect the yield per acre. 

If cotton is sown by April 15, the yield can increase by 14 to 35 percent, report said.

Report said if cotton is sown by April 15, the farmer can earn a profit of up to Rs150,000 per acre. 

The Punjab government's announcement of Rs.25,000 for timely sowing of cotton is welcome. 

Improved cotton production is good for economic development and improved cotton production can increase employment and reduce poverty, EPBD report said.

Reporter: Waqas Azeem