20000418

PCCC wants guaranteed

price of lint fixed soon

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The General Body of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee observed that the guaranteed/support price of lint should also be announced within a couple of months.

The PCCC meeting held on Monday at Karachi under the Chairmanship of Shafqat Jamot, Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) was attended by Shafi Niaz, member National Security Council, Zafar Altaf, Federal Secretary, MINFAL, and the representatives of all concerned agencies relating to cotton sector.

The Committee decided to take up the matter with the Ministry of Commerce for establishing Cotton Ginning Research Institute which is badly needed by the country.

The minister stressed upon more dynamic approach in research pursuits with the objective to benefit the farming community in getting higher yield of quality cotton and get higher prices.

Referring to the government's recent decisions to introduce support price or guaranteed price and cotton standardisation programme, the minister observed that it is the intention of the government to take all possible measures which are in the best interest of the cotton growers and the national economy.

The Committee also stressed upon the necessity of improving the ginning industry in order to ensure contamination-free cotton.

It also suggested that necessary modification should also be made to avoid variation in bale weight and for timely replacement of Gin Saws.

The committee also reviewed the scope of producing long staple cotton in light of demand of the textile sector and the international market.