MULTAN : Public Welfare Organization (PWO), a growers’ body based in Lodhran, paid a visit to Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) Multan for advice from agriculture scientists on cotton crop cultivation and control pest threats. The 45-member delegation, also comprising nine women growers, led by PWO head Hameeduddin, is working in ten union councils in Lodhran district to extend advisory services to growers on modern trends in cotton cultivation and how to control diseases and pests.
CCRI Plant Pathology head Tariq Mehmood gave a detailed briefing to the growers on cotton diseases particularly CLCV and steps to avoid damage. CCRI entomology head Haji Muhammad Rafiq also gave a briefing on how to control dusky cotton bug, red cotton bug besides profit-oriented modern agronomic practices.
Hameeduddin said that PWO was running a project in 10 union councils in Lodhran to provide advisory services to growers and extend knowledge on modern research and production technology.
He said that their visit to CCRI Multan was part of the initiative and added they would share the information with cotton growers in Lodhran, according to CCRI spokesman Masud Shafi.
The spokesman appreciated the PWO initiative and stressed that other grower bodies should also replicate it. He said that Pakistani cotton was famous in the world due to its fibre strength and whiteness and added that efforts were underway to further improve its quality.