KARACHI (January 04 2004): Cotton has been re-cultivated on at least 25 percent of the area under cotton crop in Sindh which would increase the overall cotton production but would adversely affect wheat production, said ginners and cotton brokers.

Most of the area in the lower Sindh cotton plants was again supplied with urea and water to get another crop of cotton which is highly beneficial under the current prevailing prices.

Well-connected cotton traders said that by the end of December and middle of January, sowing of wheat crop is completed but this time the farmers decided to carry on with the cotton crop.

"The re-cultivation will bring fruit up to March and at that time there is no chance for wheat cultivation," said Nasim Usman, a known cotton broker at Karachi.

For the re-cultivation, the farmers use the same plants which carry un-developed bolls. Since phutti prices have crossed Rs 1500 per maund and good quality cotton can easily fetch Rs 3400 per maund, the farmers have decided to get more from cotton re-cultivation.

Still the Cotton Assessment Committee representing the government's point of view, believes that the overall cotton production will be around 10 million bales.

However, the ginners having good connections both in Punjab and Sindh feel that production would not exceed 9.2 to 9.5 million bales, believing that the conservative figure of 9.2 million bales is more correct.

"The re-cultivation in lower Sindh might improve Sindh's production," said a ginner, adding that still phutti is being supplied to Punjab ginners from Sindh as they are paying good money.

Cotton brokers said that wheat production would suffer in the province due to this extra cultivation of cotton. The current fiscal year is already under pressure because of shortage of wheat, especially in Sindh.

The government has recently announced to import 500,000 tons wheat to meet the shortage but market sources said another one million tons could be imported by June, 2004.

"Cotton re-cultivation will certainly affect wheat production in the province and would jeopardise the government's total target of 22 million tons wheat production next year," commented a wheat trader.

Courtesy Business Recorder