PCCC wants cotton varieties that can withstand climatic stress

Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Khadim Hussain urged researchers on Tuesday to come up with varieties of cotton employing biotechnology that can withstand cPakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Khadim Hussain urged researchers on Tuesday to come up with varieties of cotton employing biotechnology that can withstand climatic stresses

MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Apr, 2026) Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Khadim Hussain urged researchers on Tuesday to come up with varieties of cotton employing biotechnology that can withstand cPakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Khadim Hussain urged researchers on Tuesday to come up with varieties of cotton employing biotechnology that can withstand climatic stresses and ensure production stabilitylimatic stresses and ensure production stability.

He was addressing online an important consultative meeting at the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan, to deliberate on cotton revival in the country, enhancement of production, and effective planning for the upcoming season.

During the meeting, a detailed review of progress achieved in 2025 was conducted, while comprehensive discussions were held on the cotton cultivation plan 2026. The meeting was attended by heads of all PCCC institutions and Cotton Research Stations.

Dr. Khadim Hussain emphasized that changing climatic conditions has necessitated development of new cotton varieties through biotechnology and stressed the need to modernize research approaches to further strengthen cotton’s pivotal role in the national economy.

The CEO PCCC directed agricultural scientists to publish their research papers in national and international journals, develop various research projects related to cotton, and ensure that progress on these initiatives is reviewed regularly on a quarterly basis.

Director Research PCCC Dr. Tasawur Hussain Malik presented a summary of the Annual Progress Report 2025, which also included the results of the National Coordinated Varietal Trials (NCVT). He said that agricultural scientists must place farmers’ practical challenges, ground realities, and available resources at the core of their research planning to ensure that outcomes are directly applicable and beneficial for farmers.

He also provided a detailed briefing on varietal performance, production challenges, and research advancements.

Director CCRI Multan, Ms. Sabahat Hussain, presented the annual report for 2025 of the institute as well as the D.I. Khan Cotton Station.

She informed that the institute is working on advanced technologies aimed at preserving desirable varietal traits over an extended period. This progress is expected to significantly improve both seed quality and yield. She also highlighted budget-related matters of the institute.

Dr. Rehana Anjum, Director CCRI Sakrand, presented the performance report of her institute and the Cotton Research Stations at Ghotki, Mirpurkhas, Lasbela, and Sibi. She highlighted financial and research activities along with key achievements at the field level.

Special emphasis was placed on planning for the upcoming year. Ms. Sabahat Hussain presented the Annual Program 2026 for CCRI Multan and D.I. Khan Cotton Station, while Dr. Rehana Anjum briefed the meeting on proposed programs for her institute and other stations. Director PICR&T Karachi, Ahmad Ali, and Officer In-Charge Cotton Cess Management Lahore, Nadeem Hassan, also presented briefings related to their respective domains.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Khadim Hussain reaffirmed that all relevant institutions will work under a unified strategy for cotton revival, ensuring effective utilization of research, field linkages, and available resources. He stated that the deliberations and consultations of the meeting would have positive and far-reaching impacts on the upcoming cotton crop, research activities, and the national textile sector.