Despite being the fourth largest producer of cotton in the world, Pakistan remains at the bottom of the ladder in productivity. Its average per hectare yield of 560 kg is better than the Indian yield of 516 kg. However, India grows bulk of its cotton from rain-fed areas as against irrigated land that reduces its production cost. In contrast, Pakistan grows most of its cotton in the irrigated land of southern Punjab and Sindh. Pakistan’s cotton yield when compared to China is even lower. With a 1,460 kg yield, China extracts 2.6 times more cotton from the same piece of land than Pakistan does.

With the exception of Australia, all major cotton producing regions have recorded a decline in production in the last fiscal. In terms of the fall in percentage, Pakistan remains worst hit. Numerous factors such as pest attack, insufficient inputs and limitation of varieties contribute to the radical decrease in Pakistan’s production.

China is still the cotton powerhouse that holds 62 per cent of world’s cotton stocks of 104.1 million bales. But it is expected to lose its position as the largest producer of cotton to India due to unfavourable weather conditions and reduced government support. The Chinese government that has taken up various policy measures to cater to the cotton requirement of its large textile industry remains cautious about price stability to ensure growers are not hurt. It is releasing targeted quantities from its cotton reserves and allowing limited cotton imports.

With smaller landholdings per farmer and with substantial rain-fed areas, China reaches the highs of cotton productivity only due to adoption and application of technology and related innovations. It remains a keen follower of intensive cotton farming technologies.