The rapid expansion of sugarcane cultivation in Punjab\u2019s Rahim Yar Khan district has significantly affected cotton production and quality, according to industry data and agricultural experts.<\/p>\n
Reports suggest that the district, once a leading cotton-producing region before Partition and for decades afterwards, has seen a steady decline in cotton cultivation due to the growing dominance of sugarcane and the establishment of sugar mills in the area and surrounding border regions.<\/p>\n
Experts note that Rahim Yar Khan District was historically considered the country\u2019s top cotton-producing district, contributing nearly 11 to 13 per cent of Pakistan\u2019s total cotton output in earlier years. The region was also known for producing high-quality cotton branded internationally as \u201cKhan Cotton\u201d.<\/p>\n
According to cotton industry representative Ehsan-ul-Haq, the district produced record cotton output in the past, including 1.84 million bales in 2004\u201305 and around 1.5 to 1.8 million bales in 2011\u201312, when Pakistan\u2019s total production reached historic highs.<\/p>\n
However, he said the expansion of sugar mills\u2014reportedly operating at high capacity along with political decisions allowing new units along Punjab and Sindh border areas, has reduced cotton acreage in Rahim Yar Khan from around 800,000 acres to less than 300,000 acres.<\/p>\n
The shift has also altered national production patterns. While Punjab historically led cotton output, recent years have seen Sindh surpass Punjab in production. In 2024\u201325, Sindh produced 2.807 million bales compared to Punjab\u2019s 2.718 million bales, with the gap widening further in 2025\u201326 estimates.<\/p>\n
Experts warn that continued expansion of sugarcane and new sugar mills in cotton zones could further reduce production in coming years. Reports also indicate proposals for new mills in and around Rahim Yar Khan and adjacent border regions, raising concerns among agricultural stakeholders.<\/p>\n
Industry voices have urged strict enforcement of crop zoning laws to restore cotton cultivation. They argue that cotton-growing regions such as southern Punjab, parts of Sindh, and Balochistan produce higher-quality fibre with better yield characteristics and export value.<\/p>\n
Analysts say that effective implementation of zoning policies could help reduce reliance on cotton imports and edible oil, while strengthening Pakistan\u2019s foreign exchange reserves and agricultural economy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The rapid expansion of sugarcane cultivation in Punjab\u2019s Rahim Yar Khan district has significantly affected cotton production and quality, according to industry data and agricultural experts. Reports suggest that the district, once a leading cotton-producing region before Partition and for decades afterwards, has seen a steady decline in cotton cultivation due to the growing dominance […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":71461,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[131,30],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[213],"class_list":{"0":"post-73029","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"category-latest"},"yoast_head":"\n