The Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) has rejected two of the 18 new cotton varieties recently approved by the Punjab Seed Council for cultivation.

PCGA Chairman Amanullah Qureshi said two newly evolved cotton varieties – FH-114 and BT-121 – have low micronaire value of 5.5 and 5.6 respectively, and these have a short staple length, while the global demand is for cotton of long staple length.

He said the PSC’s decision goes against the interests of the farmers and it would be harmful to the agricultural sector.

He warned the farmers that the ginners would be reluctant to purchase their cotton if they sow any of these two new varieties of cotton. Hence, he urged them not to cultivate those varieties and asked them to not succumb to forced marketing activities of those seed makers.

The PCGA chief said the ginners association had even earlier opposed the approval of those two varieties of cotton, including at a meeting chaired by Mr. Ahmed Ali Aulakh.