2017-2018年巴基斯坦棉花产量预计为1404万包

The Pakistan government has set a target of producing 14.04 million bales of cotton for 2017-18

The cotton cultivation ban that was imposed by the agriculture department of Pakistan's Punjab province has been lifted. The ban was imposed on cultivating the crop before April 15 this year to save it from pink bollworm pest attack, but the department is now advising farmers to immediately start sowing cotton in the dedicated zone of the province.

The department issued a statement saying that the weather conditions are now suitable for cultivating cotton. It has advised cotton growers to use good-quality approved seed varieties to avoid damages due to pest attacks.

The department will also train cotton growers to help them control pest attacks, according to media reports. Spray machines and other gadgets will also be provided along with facilities to scout pests.

The Pakistan government has set a target of producing 14.04 million bales of cotton for 2017-18. About 6 million acres of land will be under cotton cultivation in Punjab and the production target for the province is 10 million cotton bales.

译文如下：

2017-2018年巴基斯坦棉花产量预计为1404万包

巴基斯坦旁遮普省农业部颁布的棉花种植禁令已经解除。种植作物的禁令是今年4月15日之前颁布的，以防止棉红铃虫等害虫的攻击，但现在该部门建议农民立即开始在专门区域播种棉花。

该部门发表声明称，现在的天气条件适合种植棉花。还建议棉花种植者使用高质量批次的种子，以避免遭受由于害虫攻击带来的损害。

据媒体报道，农业部也对棉花种植者进行培训，帮助他们控制害虫的袭击。政府还将为他们提供喷雾机和其他用于跟踪害虫的设备。

巴基斯坦政府已经制定了目标，计划到2017-2018年棉花产量达1404万包。旁遮普棉花种植面积大约为600万英亩，生产目标是1000万包。

(编译：杨朝霞)