RAW COTTON: The growth of 21.

78 % from FY08-09 in Raw Cotton Exports is

because of the reason that 4.2% more area was detected to Cotton harvesting than
the previous year. This increased harvesting of cotton was because of low
realization of profit from sugarcane and rice production. Pakistan has irrigational
problems and since Cotton requires less water, it becomes attractive for the farmer.
Till FY2012, farmers had this incentive to grow more cotton along with early sowing
of cotton was on the rise. It was sowed in February (two months before the regular
sowing). But after FY12, cotton exports growth has declined drastically. Some of the
factors are: excessive rain at the time of sowing, high temperature at the flowering
stage, Cotton Leaf Curl Virus, pest attack, improper technology, etc. These were
some of the reason of decline of production of Raw cotton which ultimately declined
its share in exports after FY12.