Central Cotton Research Institute, Sakrand was established by Pakistan Central Cotton Committee in 1976 for research and development of cotton cultivation / production technology and to solve the problems of growers. Beside that, introduction of high yielding cotton varieties with good fibre quality through scientific research and methodology.
With untiring endeavors of research experts, the institute is engaged in multidisciplinary research conducted by Agronomy, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cytogenetics, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Plant Physiology / Chemistry sections and recently established new section Transfer of Technology. Since its inception the Institute has successfully evolved a considerable number of high yielding cotton varieties with required fibre qualities with the details are presented as under:
| Variety | Year of release | Yield potential (kg ha-1) | GOT (%) | Staple length (mm) | Fibre strength (tppsi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRIS-9 | 1992 | 4000 | 34.5 | 26.5 | 97 |
| Marvi (CRIS-5A) | 2001 | 3900 | 35 | 26.8 | 97.5 |
| CRIS-134 | 2004 | 4500 | 36.5 | 27.5 | 97 |
| CRIS-467 | 2004 | 3800 | 37 | 27.5 | 97.2 |
| CRIS-121 | 2006 | 4000 | 36.8 | 27.5 | 98.5 |
| CRIS-342 | 2010 | 4000 | 38.5 | 28.4 | 98.5 |
CRIS varieties are better in performance than NIAB-78 and are successfully grown throughout the Sindh and Balochistan and have occupied large area under cultivation. The production parameters and performance of these varieties are better than NIAB-78 (with these characters, the CRIS varieties are widely and successfully sown in the large area under cultivation). Apart of this, CRIS-467 is also CLCV tolerant. A number of most promising strains like CRIS-342 and CRIS-129 are being tested in advance breeding as well as National Coordinated Varietal Trials. Moreover, material for early maturing, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, more lint percent and long staple is in pipeline and are being tested in advanced trials.
The Institute has been highly functional in providing technical support and guidance to the growers of Sindh and Balochistan through regular surveys of their crop during the cotton season and identifies the problems of cotton growers and provide the technical guidance on their field for remedial measures. Through IPM and BSCV projects, valuable trainings have been provided to field staff of Agriculture Extension Department, Government of Sindh for enhancing skills on improved production technology for cotton crop. Literature regarding cotton production practice in local languages was published and distributed among cotton growers of Sindh and Balochistan.
The institute also conducted seminars on awareness of cotton growers in Sindh and Balochistan by showing documentary films through mobile van.