Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan, the prime research facility of Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) was established in 1970. By the grace of Allah, the Institute has completed 53rd year after its establishment.
The Institute is equipped with different research disciplines including Agronomy, Plant Breeding & Genetics, Cytogenetics, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Physiology/Chemistry, Fibre Technology, Transfer of Technology and Statistics.
The research work has been focused on the following main aspects:
1. Study cotton plant from botanical, genetical, production, physiological, chemical, entomological, pathological and other relevant aspects in a coordinated manner.
2. Undertake research work of national importance and handle problems of inter-regional nature.
3. To develop cost-effective cotton production technology.
4. Advanced knowledge of the cotton plant responses to environment with a view to better cope with adverse impacts in the changing climate scenario.
5. Provide education and training on cotton production technology to the agriculture research, extension, teaching staff and other stakeholders.
6. Identify problems of cotton growers and advocate remedial measures.
7. Promote mechanization in cotton production system.
8. Transfer production technology to the cotton growers.
9. Educate and motivate cotton growers and monitor research outcomes.
10. Provide technical support to the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee in coordinating and developing a national program for cotton research.
11. Training manpower across the country and other cotton growing countries on “cotton research and development”.
12. Facilitation and research guidance to students at graduate and higher level degree courses.
The Institute has so far developed 38 elite cotton varieties since its inception. Developments have been made in earliness, heat tolerance, drought tolerance, disease resistance and fiber quality traits.
CCRI, Multan pioneered in developing cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) resistant varieties when the country suffered a huge loss in cotton production during 1993-94.
In addition to the varietal development, the scientists of the Institute developed water-saving planting techniques, pest scouting models and Economic Threshold Levels (ETLs) for various pests, evaluate nutritional requirement of cotton varieties, and addressing soil health issues. Since its establishment, CCRI, Multan has made tremendous progress in cotton R&D in various aspects of cotton crop