China and Pakistan have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at boosting Pakistan’s cotton production using advanced technology. This partnership brings together the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute of Pakistan (AAIR) and the Institute of Cotton Research (ICR) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Under the agreement, both institutes will work on genetically enhancing cotton to improve yields and globally promote Pakistan’s cotton industry. Cotton is vital to Pakistan’s economy, contributing 0.8% to its GDP and accounting for 51% of the country’s total foreign exchange earnings, making it the backbone of the textile sector with over 1,000 ginning factories and around 400 textile mills.
Despite being the world’s fifth-largest cotton producer, Pakistan has faced a 34% decline in production due to irregular weather conditions linked to climate change. Punjab, the leading cotton-producing province, saw a 36% drop in its yield this year compared to the previous year.
China’s ICR, known for leading national cotton research, holds a wealth of expertise in addressing technical challenges in cotton production. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s AAIR is one of the country’s most prominent research bodies focused on developing innovative agricultural solutions.
This agreement is anticipated to reduce Pakistan’s heavy cotton imports and bolster textile exports, ensuring economic stability and global competitiveness amid shifting climate patterns.
