The Pakistani government has kicked off a Rs35 million project to encourage the growing of contamination-free cotton.

Aiming to reap 50,000 bales of cotton in the upcoming season, the programme is expected to be participated by 31 ginning factories, including 22 from Punjab, seven from Sindh, and two from Balochistan.

In fact, a similar programme was introduced four years ago but ended up without significant results.

The major challenge this time remains the fair return to growers. Syed Masood Alam Rizvi, Federal Textile Secretary, said Rs 50 per maund will be provided for grower as premium to produce contamination-free cottonseed.

Textile.2456.com