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Cotton policy within this month, says Shafi Niaz

ISLAMABAD: Member National Security Council (NSC) Shafi Niaz has said the new cotton policy would be announced later this month well ahead of setting in the cultivation season in Sindh and Punjab.

The new policy will be presented in Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and Cabinet for final approval this week, he said this while speaking in a PTV programme.

Shafi Niaz said, the support price of cotton will be included in the new policy which has been evaluated on the basis of cost of production.

He said, the support price is considered to be procurement price which encourages growers to set their cultivation targets timely.

The government he added, will ensure the announcement of the policy ahead of cultivation season of cotton crop which begins in April and in the middle of May in Sindh and Punjab respectively.

The government, he added, is likely to achieve targets set for wheat and cotton following bumper production of cotton in 1999-2000 and expected bumper crop of wheat.

Wheat's production was estimated at 20 million tonnes but its final production is expected to be close to above target fixed for the crop owing to incentives given by the government to the farmers, he added.

He said, per acre production depends upon timely rains, proper irrigation and conducive atmosphere.

"Timely rains have averted any chances of water shortage in some parts of Sindh and 'barani' areas and now a favourable weather with gradually rising temperature would help ripe the crop properly," he added.

He said, cotton output around 10.7 million bales is estimated while a target of 9.7 million bales was fixed for the crop.

Taking part in the programme Cotton Commission and Economic consultant Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Dr Zakir Hussain said, the government is considering various proposals regarding setting up of Price Stabilisation Fund for providing incentives and benefits to the farmers.

"The government has established a Cabinet Committee which will meet shortly to discuss the matter," he added. APP