The fields that once gleamed with Pakistan’s “white gold” are now shadowed by a stark reality: cotton, the lifeblood of the nation’s rural economy and industrial aspirations, is a crop in collapse. Far from being a mere setback, the decline of cotton in Pakistan has reached a critical juncture, raising urgent questions about the government’s approach to an unfolding economic tragedy.
For decades, cotton was more than just a crop; it was the very fabric that stitched together Pakistan’s agricultural prosperity and manufacturing prowess. Categorized as one of the five “major crops” crucial for household security and national food economics, cotton’s precipitous fall, marked by a staggering 30 percent drop in yield this year alone, signals a profound systemic issue.
In a move that has been met with both skepticism and dismay, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research has finally weighed in on the cotton crisis. Their proposals, endorsing the lifting of an 18% sales tax on domestic cotton and its byproducts, or alternatively, taxing cotton, yarn, and grey cloth imports at the same rate, come after urgent appeals from key industry bodies like the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association and the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association.
While ostensibly a gesture to support the beleaguered textile sector, these measures, hurriedly put before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, are widely seen as too little, too late. Industry insiders and agricultural experts alike contend that a tax adjustment, however well-intentioned, is but a fleeting reprieve for a hemorrhage that demands a far more comprehensive intervention. The underlying issues, they emphasize, are deeply rooted and complex, extending far beyond fiscal adjustments.
The grim reality is palpable on the ground. Punjab, once a powerhouse of cotton production, now sees a mere three ginning factories operational. A handful more in Sindh are anticipated to begin operations, but this sporadic activity is a stark indicator of an industry in slow-motion decay rather than revival. Leaders within the sector are issuing dire warnings: without significant and immediate changes, processing units could soon be operating at less than half their capacity, jeopardizing countless livelihoods and the future of an entire industry.
Cotton’s decline is not an isolated agricultural blip; it is a profound threat to Pakistan’s economic stability. The nation’s ability to address this “ghost crop” phenomenon, moving beyond superficial fixes to genuinely tackle the concerns of its farmers and revitalize its core agricultural strength, will be a defining moment for its economic future. The time for denial is over; the time for decisive action is now.
