Pakistan's cotton yield 50% lower than region.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan is facing a sharp decline in cotton production as its per-acre yield has contracted to just half of the cotton productivity in regional countries.

Owing to thin profit margins for cotton planting, farmers have switched over to other crops like rice, maize and sugarcane. Economic policymakers have expressed serious concern over the constant decline in cotton production over the years.

In a recent meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), the policymakers and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar observed that the cotton sowing area was shrinking, which was a cause of concern for the government. Dar, who chairs the ECC meetings, pointed out that the per-acre cotton production in regional countries was double the per-acre harvest in Pakistan.

It was emphasised that the Ministry of National Food Security and Research would look into developing a support price mechanism in consultation with the Ministry of Industries and Production.

The ECC noted that for the cotton support price, the wheat and sugarcane model might be considered.

Commerce Division secretary underlined the need for adopting international principles as well as undertaking a study on the...