Pakistan is expected to produce around 13 million bales of cotton this year, the second biggest production ever after the record yield last year, Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Sikandar Hayat Bosan says. "It may not match the record production of 14.6 million bales production we reached last year but we expect, at least, it would cross 1991-92 record of 12.7 million bales this year to become the second largest yield ever in the country", the minister told the reporters. Bosan said floods caused damage to 350,000 to 400,000 acres cotton area in Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh districts, and rain also did the damage this year. "But given the reports from the field, we are still optimist to get around 13 million bales of cotton," he added. "We have reached 12 million cotton bales production so far this year and hope for good reports when Cotton Crop Assessment Committee meeting is held on February 20 for final crop size assessment", the minister said. Pakistan recorded phenomenal growth in agriculture production last year due to growers' hard work and advisory campaign by the government for in-time sowing and application of implements at proper time. Bosan said cotton recorded 45.6 % increase against an average increase of 10.6 per cent while wheat production was also very good last year.
