Effect of fertilizer use on cotton production

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION The importance of agriculture in our national economy can be judged from the fact that 44.8 percent of total employment is generated in agriculture. However, on account of development of non-agricultural sector, the share of agriculture in our gross national product declined considerably. At present this sector alone contributes 23% to our gross national product and this is engaged as the largest single contributor in GNP. Agriculture also supplies raw material Pakistan’s industries, notably textile industry, the largest industrial sub-sector or the economy. Most importantly, 67.5% of country population is living in rural areas are directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Given its importance in national economy, the government attaches high priority to raising agricultural productivity with a view to promoting faster agricultural growth and hence raising of farmers income (Government of Pakistan, 2006). The total geographical area of Pakistan is 79.61 million hectares of which about 20 million hectors is under cultivation but the area cultivated under cotton crop in 2005- 06 was 3192.6 thousand hectares in Pakistan of which Sindh covered approximately 20 percent in area by producing 14265.2 thousand bales. The contribution of Sindh in cotton production is 21.15 percent. Mirpurkhas district is the major cotton producing district in Sindh with production of 3016.7 thousand bales and covered 45.5 thousand-hectare. Average yield across farms is different but overall average yield of Pakistan is 760 kg per hectare while Sindh has little more, that is 808 kg per hectare (Government of Pakistan, 2006). 1