According to a United Nations report, Pakistan is among 22 countries worldwide experiencing an emergency drought situation for the past 2-3 years. The lack of proper adaptation strategies to changing climate conditions has exposed us to significant risks of drought, severely impacting agriculture.
Over 80% of our agriculture relies on the Indus River, but the hot, dry weather and intense heat waves have led to water scarcity, directly affecting our crops. Specifically, areas cultivating cotton in South Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan are grappling with drought conditions, characterized by insufficient rainfall and water scarcity, which hinder the growth and productivity of cotton plants.
A recent report by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) indicates that Pakistan may encounter a water shortage of 30-35% during the upcoming kharif crop season, beginning April 1.This poses a significant challenge for cotton cultivation, potentially impacting crucial cash crops like cotton.
Cotton, as a crop, thrives when it receives sufficient moisture throughout its growth cycle, ensuring optimal yield and fiber quality. However, with drought affecting different stages of cotton growth, both the per-acre production and farmers’ incomes are significantly declining.
This reduction in cotton output is further burdening the nation’s finances, as there’s a growing need to import cotton to sustain the textile industry. To mitigate the adverse effects of drought on cotton cultivation and sustain productivity in drought-prone areas,........