Pakistan is preparing to adopt satellite technology to address long-standing disputes over crop data collection, particularly in Punjab, where conflicting reports have hindered accurate decision-making for years. The initiative, spearheaded by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), will be implemented in partnership with China and the country’s Land Information and Management System (LIMS), which was launched in 2023 to drive agricultural productivity through technology and sustainable practices. The satellite-based system is expected to launch next year, providing accurate cultivation and production figures, reducing discrepancies, and enabling policymakers to make informed decisions on imports, exports, and market regulation.
At the heart of this initiative is the ongoing conflict between the Punjab Crop Reporting Service (CRS) and the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), with each side presenting significantly different figures on cotton output. For years, CRS has been accused of reporting inflated production statistics, while PCGA has been blamed for underreporting by only recording cotton arriving at factory gates. CRS uses methodologies such as extrapolation from plant samples and small-scale field plots, which critics argue exaggerate yields, while ginners maintain that their reporting reflects the actual volume processed. This discrepancy has damaged Pakistan’s credibility in global cotton markets, with stakeholders unable to rely on a single dataset for strategic planning.
The issue became more pronounced in FY25, when CRS reported 609,000 bales of seed cotton production in Punjab up to July 31, while PCGA reported only 301,000 bales — less than half the official estimate. CRS officials defended their approach, stating that their figures are based on internationally accepted scientific methods, including randomised sampling, ground truthing, and GPS-enabled tools. CRS DG Dr Abdul Qayyum emphasized that their system is backed by FAO-endorsed methodologies and a real-time digital dashboard, which enhances transparency and supports evidence-based policymaking. He argued that PCGA’s data fails to account for seed cotton still stored on farms, transferred across provinces, or withheld by stockists, adding that persistent under-invoicing has distorted ginning data in recent years. To strengthen reporting integrity, CRS has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to implement a robust monitoring mechanism at ginning factories for real-time verification of cotton processed.
Alongside the satellite data initiative, major developments in the cotton sector could further transform production and research. The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has shown interest in taking over the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) after resolving a long-standing financial dispute during a cotton revival meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. Sources suggest PCCC has agreed to the proposal, which industry experts believe could accelerate cotton research and the development of high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties. Cotton Ginners Forum Chairman Ihsanul Haq noted that this transition could significantly raise per-acre yields across the country. At the same time, recent heavy rains across cotton-growing regions have affected crop quality, leading to price hikes. Cotton prices rose by Rs200 to Rs300 per maund, with rates reaching Rs16,400 to Rs16,600 in local markets. Analysts warn that continued depreciation of the Pakistani rupee against the U.S. dollar may drive prices even higher in the months ahead.
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