Islamabad, Apr 7, 2025: In a significant move aimed at bolstering Pakistan and China Partner for cotton industry, two key state-supported institutions one from China and the other from Pakistan have joined forces to advance cotton production using cutting-edge technology.
This partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), is designed to rejuvenate Pakistan’s cotton sector, which plays a pivotal role in the country’s economy.
Cotton is an essential crop for Pakistan, positioning the nation as the fifth-largest cotton producer and the third-largest producer of cotton yarn globally. This sector contributes a substantial 0.8% to the national GDP and accounts for over half (51%) of Pakistan’s foreign exchange earnings.
The cotton industry supports more than 1,000 ginning factories and approximately 400 textile mills, making it a critical economic driver.
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The MoU was signed between the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AAIR) in Punjab, Pakistan, and China’s Institute of Cotton Research (ICR), which operates under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
This partnership is expected to focus on improving cotton yields through genetic advancements and to enhance the international standing of Pakistan’s cotton industry.
The ICR is China’s premier state-run cotton research institution, leading major national initiatives aimed at overcoming pressing challenges in cotton production.
Meanwhile, AAIR, established in 1962, is one of Pakistan’s leading agricultural research organizations, dedicated to developing innovative crop varieties and technologies aimed at improving food security and agricultural productivity.
This collaboration comes at a time when Pakistan faces a significant decline in domestic cotton production, leading to increased imports of the commodity. As of January, factories had received only 5.51 million bales of cotton, reflecting a 34% drop compared to the previous year.
In Punjab, Pakistan’s primary cotton-growing region, production plummeted to 2.7 million bales, marking a 36% decrease compared to the previous year.
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The agreement between Pakistan and China partner institutions marks an important step in addressing the challenges facing Pakistan’s cotton sector. Pakistan and China Partner on innovative solutions that could restore Pakistan’s cotton production to its former strength and bolster the industry’s global competitiveness.
This collaboration not only promises to modernize cotton farming techniques but also positions Pakistan to regain its status as a global leader in cotton production.
As Pakistan and China Partner to improve cotton yields, their combined efforts could provide lasting benefits, enhancing both agricultural productivity and economic resilience for the region.
This partnership stands as a promising example of how technological collaboration can help overcome agricultural challenges and create sustainable solutions for growing industries.
