According to check-posts on Sindh and Punjab borders, over 0.1 million maunds seed-cotton, equivalent to 11000 bales, have crossed over to Punjab while buying in cotton growing districts of lower Sindh is continuing.
The off-take of lint, which started on a high note, later started softening and most of the transactions were finalised at state set price.
The crop management committee, which met at Karachi early this week to review the situation, was informed that the area under cotton crop was 8.8 percent higher as compared to last year but at the same time the crop was under water stress and pest pressure.
The provincial Agriculture Extension crop managers explained in detail the availability of water and pest position but did not comment on expected production.
The report on cotton crop situation indicated that cotton curl leave virus (CLCV) had re-emerged in Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Naushero Feroze and Sukkur districts and it was feared that it might flare up next month with the change in climatic conditions. Ring type disease has been reported in Ghotki district .The early sown crop was showing stunted growth.
In other cotton growing districts attack of spotted boll worm, boll worm, army worm and other sucking pests had been observed. The Extension officials claimed that the pest attack was below economic threshold level.
Cotton growers while talking to Business Recorder said the production target was too ambitious and would not be achieved due to poor availability of water. They further said that the coming month is crucial for cotton crop and there are apprehensions of pest flare-up.