Cotton is called the plant of warm temprature regions.
It is said the for the first time cotton was planted in the Indo-Pak sub- continent 1500 years
ago, before the birth of Christ, a Greek Historian Herdotus, has mentioned that a plant is
cultivated in India from which wool is obtained. From this the information was obtained that
Indian cotton was exported to Europe and Middle east Countries. Beside in the valleys of Indus
the Nile, Tegrus and Euphrates had also been planting cotton since ancient times. However with
the passage of time the trend to plant cotton in other parts of the world started and now a
days many countries of the world grow cotton.
PHYSICAL FACTORS:- For the growth of cotton following Physical conditions are wanted.
TEMPERATURE:-The cotton plant
grows well in (Subtropical Warm Temperate) regions. Severs cold and intense heat, both are
harmful for the plantation of cotton. To achieve good production the weather must be clear
most of the time. Frost, mist or snow-falling is not suitable for a good crop. Cotton crop
is usually sown in the months of April or May and the temperature should be in the range of
77F to 90F. mostly it is cultivated in 25to 42 latitude of Northern hemisphere and in 25 to 35
latitude in Southern hemisphere.
RAINFALL:-Cotton Planatation
does not require abundant water or rain. The areas of the world in which there is rain ranging
from 30"to 40" inches annually are suitable for its plantation. Light rain and abundance of
water cause damage to cotton plant, so small quantity of intermittent rain is required and the
plant is nourished in a better way. Good crop without the supply of water through irrigation
is impossible.
SOIL:-The cotton plant
nourishes well in the soil having sufficient quantify of Potash, Lime and Nitrogen in the soil.
Besides this if the soil has mineral ingredients in proper quantity, the plat nourishes well
and quickly that is why fertility of land is pre-requisite for achieving good yield of cotton.
The alluvial soil is suitable for its plantation. In desert areas its plantation is impossible.
Besides this the volcanic areas and the soil caused due to volcanic process are good for its
plantation
ECONOMIC FACTORS:-Economic factors
plays an important role in the better cultivation of cotton. The following are the main economic
factors for the cultivation of cotton:
- CHEAP LABOUR
- USE OF GOOD QUALITY SEEDS
- MEANS OF TRANSPORT
- ARRANGMENT OF PROPER MARKET
- NEAR NESS TO MARKETS AND PORTS
KINDS OF COTTON
The following are the main kinds of cotton.
- Long staple 2" to 2 ½"
- Medium staple 2"
- Small staple 1" 1 ½"
- Local cotton ½"
The cultivation areas of Pakistan can be divided into three types.
AREAS HAVING ABUNDANT PRODUCTION:- The
south Eastern areas of Punjab province, comprising the district of Vehari, Multan, Bahawalpur
are included in the areas producing cotton in abundance. Due to hot and dry climate there are
good prospects of saving the crop from the attack of insects and virus diseases so in these
areas, the production is in abundance as compared to other areas.
THE AREAS HAVING MODERATE PRODUCTION:-
These areas are adjacent to the abundant cotton producing areas. In Punjab, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal,
Jhang, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur districts and in Sindh, the districts of Sukkur Khairpur and
Hyderabad are included.
LESS PRODUCTIVE AREAS:- The areas in this
category are include Okara, Faisalbad, Toba Tek Singh, Sargodha, Mainwali, Bakkar, Leiah and D.G
Khan district in Sindh. Beside this other district of the province in Punjab. In NWFP, Peshawar,
Mardan, D,I.Khan nad in Baluchistan, Lorali nad Lasbela district cultivate Desi cotton in small
quantity.
| YEAR |
PRODUCTION(000 HACTORS) |
| 1996-97 |
9347 |
| 1997-98 |
9183.8 |
| 1998-99 |
8789.5 |
| 1999-2000 |
11240 |
| Percent increase |
27.9% |
The following graph shows the production of cotton in Pakistan.
The following map shows the production of cotton in Pakistan per hactors.
