Remote sensing assessment of climate variability impact on cotton crop in Faisalabad, Sahiwal, and Pakpattan

Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and the patterns of cropping hold a significant position in agriculture. Climatic changes threaten Agriculture worldwide year to year, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. The productivity of agriculture is directly influenced by climatic factors such as increases in high temperature, heavy rainwater, precipitation, floods and deficiency of irrigation, etc. Climate patterns decrease global temperatures by 2.9 to 5.5°C by 2060, and crop production is at high risk of these trends. Extreme temperatures negatively control crop phenology, leading to reductions in crop yields. Changes in the rainy season and temperature affect cotton production and threaten the stability of cotton production and quality in Pakistan. This study employed a quantitative research design and is based on a time-series analysis. Climate data from 2000-2015, including rainfall, maximum temperature, and minimum temperature, was collected from the Pakistan Meteorological Department. The statistical analysis revealed that all climate variables significantly impact cotton productivity in Pakistan. Rainfall and maximum temperature showed a positive correlation with cotton yields, while minimum temperature exhibited a negative impact. The findings conclude that climatic variability plays a critical role in influencing cotton production, underscoring the need for adaptive measures to mitigate these effects in Punjab, Pakistan.