SAU, Four Brothers joint cotton trial shows significant increase in per-acre yield

Joint research initiatives between Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam and the private sector are beginning to produce tangible results

HYDERABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jul, 2026) Joint research initiatives between Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam and the private sector are beginning to produce tangible results.

Following the success of its palm oil and improved seed research programs, the university has achieved another milestone with a varietal trial of five Triple Gene cotton varieties conducted in collaboration with Pakistan's leading agricultural company, Four Brothers. The preliminary findings indicate a significant increase in per-acre cotton yield.

SAU has been working with international organizations, universities, research institutions and private-sector partners on a range of agricultural research projects aimed at promoting climate-resilient farming and modern agricultural technologies. As part of these efforts, five Triple Gene cotton varieties including Maito, Ghazi, Shaheen, Hataf-3 and Hataf-4 were planted on one acre each at the university's Latif Farm under an early sowing program to assess their adaptability to Sindh's agro-climatic conditions.

The trial has produced highly encouraging results. For the first time in the history of Latif Farm, the first cotton picking was carried out in June, marking a significant milestone for the project. The second and third pickings are currently under way in July. So far, approximately 93 maunds of seed cotton have been harvested from the five-acre trial, averaging around 18.5 maunds per acre.

Among the five varieties, Maito has emerged as the best-performing cultivar, producing nearly 29 maunds per acre from the first two pickings alone. Researchers expect four to five additional pickings by September, with projected yields ranging between 45 and 50 maunds per acre, or even higher under favourable conditions.

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Chairman of Four Brothers Javed Saleem Qureshi visited the experimental fields after traveling from Lahore and inspected the crop along with SAU Vice Chancellor Engr Prof Dr Altaf Ali Siyal, university scientists and agricultural experts.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Altaf Siyal said collaboration between universities and the private sector was essential for enhancing agricultural productivity, accelerating technology transfer and creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for graduates. He said the trial was designed to evaluate the adaptability and yield potential of modern Triple Gene cotton varieties under the agro-climatic conditions of Tandojam and had delivered highly encouraging results.

Javed Saleem Qureshi praised the university's scientific expertise, technical support and the dedication of the farm staff. He said the outstanding performance of the Triple Gene cotton varieties demonstrated the value of university-industry collaboration in developing high-yielding cotton technologies that could benefit farmers and strengthen Pakistan's cotton sector.

SAU has already completed several successful collaborative research projects with the private sector including palm oil variety evaluation with Dalda Foods and climate-resilient cotton and wheat seed development in partnership with United Bank Limited (UBL). The event was also attended by Director Farms Dr Muhammad Mithal Lund and other university officials.