Cotton zones hit hard by recent floods in Punjab and Sindh face heavy crop damage. Farmers fear reduced yields as rains, waterlogging, and virus attacks threaten the 2025-26 cotton target.
Torrential Rains Bring Heavy Losses
Pakistan’s cotton sector is facing a serious crisis as cotton zones hit hard by recent floods struggle with widespread crop damage. Torrential rains and flooding across Punjab and Sindh have left fields waterlogged, delayed harvesting, and destroyed standing crops. The true scale of losses will only be clear once rains subside, but early estimates already point to massive setbacks for the 2025-26 cotton year.
The Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) estimates that nearly 800,000 acres of early cotton have been damaged. With cotton zones hit hard by recent floods, farmers fear the country may once again miss its target of bumper cotton production.
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Damage in Punjab and Sindh
Punjab, the country’s largest cotton-producing province, has suffered the most. In Bahawalnagar alone, around 40% of the cotton crop is reported destroyed. Experts warn that cotton zones hit hard by recent floods in Punjab remain highly vulnerable, with more rainfall expected in the coming days.
Sindh’s cotton belt is also struggling. Virus attacks in cotton-growing areas with underground freshwater, known as Kacha lands, have combined with environmental stress caused by excessive sugarcane cultivation. As a result, cotton zones hit hard by recent floods in Sindh face lower yields and weaker crop health.
Weather Forecast Adds to Worries
The forecast of more rain has intensified concerns. Agricultural experts believe that if waterlogging continues, cotton zones hit hard by recent floods will suffer even greater losses from weed growth, fungal infections, and army worm attacks. Excessive humidity and high nighttime temperatures have already weakened the crop, reducing per-acre yields.
Government and Policy Response
Authorities acknowledge the seriousness of the crisis. Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal has assured textile mill owners that a five-year textile policy will soon be introduced to reduce production challenges and support exports. However, experts stress that immediate measures are needed to help farmers in cotton zones hit hard by recent floods recover.
Farmers have been advised to keep drainage routes clear to prevent prolonged waterlogging in fields. Still, reliable national production figures for cotton will only be available in October, once the full impact on cotton zones hit hard by recent floods becomes clearer.
Impact on Farmers and Economy
The crisis is not limited to cotton alone. Farmers say that continuous rains have disrupted maize sowing and destroyed sensitive vegetables in several districts. This means the rural economy, already fragile, is under additional pressure as cotton zones hit hard by recent floods bring widespread income losses.
The situation is reflected in the markets. With reduced arrivals of seed cotton, many ginning factories in Punjab and Sindh have temporarily shut down. Despite limited lint supply, prices of cotton have fallen to Rs16,200–16,300 per maund from Rs16,500–16,600, further hurting farmers. Traders warn that losses in cotton zones hit hard by recent floods could also push food prices higher in cities due to disrupted supply chains.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 cotton season, which began with great promise, is now under severe threat as cotton zones hit hard by recent floods continue to struggle. Heavy rainfall, flooding, crop diseases, and falling prices have combined to create a difficult situation for farmers and ginners alike. Unless weather conditions improve and government support reaches farmers on time, Pakistan’s dream of a bumper cotton crop may remain out of reach.
