The Punjab Seed Corporation (PSC) will provide certified seed of six cotton varieties to farmers across the province for the ongoing early sowing campaign.

Talking to Wealth Pakistan, Shahid Qadir, Director of Punjab Seed Corporation, said the varieties available for sale are SS-32, SS-102, NIAB-878, NIAB-Kiran, NIAB-Sanib and NIAB-545. He said the price of certified fuzzy seed of approved varieties has been fixed at Rs3,700 per 10kg bag, while certified delinted seed will be available at Rs2,500 per 5kg bag. He added that the seed will be available at all PSC sales centres and through its authorised dealers to ensure smooth and timely supply to farmers.

The Punjab government has set a target of bringing 0.7 million acres under early-sown cotton in the southern and central Punjab divisions of Multan, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Sargodha and DG Khan. Cotton cultivation will also be promoted in the Bahawalpur division under the traditional sowing window, as the provincial government plans to develop Bahawalpur into a dedicated cotton valley.

Early sowing of cotton, which was discouraged in Punjab a few years ago due to fears of pest attacks, has gained traction over the past couple of years amid changing climate patterns, experts say. "There is no doubt that early cultivation of cotton was counterproductive in the past, but changing climate conditions have necessitated early sowing to achieve better crop yields," said Sajid Mehmood, Head of Technology Transfer at the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan.

He said triple-gene varieties are recommended for early sowing in Punjab, stressing that effective crop management remains critical for optimal growth and productivity of any variety.

He added that for healthy cotton cultivation, daytime temperatures should range between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius, while nighttime temperatures should remain between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius. "At these temperatures, cotton can grow well in this region," Sajid said.

According to the ginners' community, cotton cultivation is likely to increase this year due to the efforts of the Sindh and Punjab governments to promote early sowing.

"Cotton cultivation began in the coastal districts of Sindh — including Badin, Thatta, Sanghar, Tando Mohammad Khan, Fazil Rahu and Gharo — during the second week of February. It is now underway in Punjab as well," said Ihsanul Haq, Chairman of the Cotton Ginners Forum.

He expressed hope that an increase in cultivated area and production would significantly reduce Pakistan's reliance on imported cotton.