In a significant step towards climate-smart agriculture, advanced field experiments are underway for new cotton varieties developed to withstand climatic stresses such as rising temperatures and water scarcity in Sindh, a joint effort between Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam and the private sector.
Three recently developed cotton varieties, Hateef, Ghouri, and Ghazi, are being jointly tested with Four Brothers Group at the university’s Latif Farm experimental site to evaluate their resistance to extreme heat, low irrigation, and diseases, particularly cotton leaf curl virus.
A high-level delegation, including Vice-Chancellor Engineer Professor Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal and former Pakistan Engineering Council Chairman, Engineer Javed Saleem Qureshi, along with private sector representatives, inspected the experimental fields on Tuesday to assess crop performance. The approximately two-and-a-half-month-old plants showed robust growth, exhibiting lush leaves, abundant branching (squaring), numerous flowers, and early fruit formation, predicting a promising yield even under challenging conditions.
Agricultural experts involved in the project emphasized that these ongoing evaluations are a crucial stage in developing cotton varieties that can maintain productivity despite environmental stresses.
Professor Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal stressed that climate change poses a significant threat to Pakistan’s agricultural sector, particularly in Sindh, where rising temperatures and drought conditions are severely impacting cotton production. He highlighted that the university’s partnership with industry aims to cultivate resilient, high-yielding varieties to ensure consistent production. If these positive characteristics are maintained, they are expected to significantly increase cotton production and strengthen the agricultural economy.
Engineer Javed Saleem Qureshi noted that the varieties being tested are capable of tolerating temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius, enduring drought for up to 30 days, resisting cotton leaf curl virus, and yielding over 40 maunds per acre in 120 days. He specifically affirmed the commitment to providing advanced seed technology tailored to local environmental challenges.
Jameel Ahmed Solangi, National Manager Training and Development for the Seeds Division of Four Brothers Group, expressed hope that these varieties, developed with the scientific expertise of university researchers, would prove highly beneficial for farmers.
Other individuals present during the inspection included Dr. Muhammad Mithal Lund, Director of Farm, Gulshar Luchee, Public Relations Officer, Dr. R.B. Wistro, and other officers.