Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam said on Sunday that clean picking of cotton could help maintain quality standards and help fetch handsome economic returns from markets. He said this while talking to a group of farmers at his residence, according to a release issued by Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI). Fakhar observed that the incumbent government addressed farmers’ concerns by announcing policy pertaining to cotton prices. The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) would be bound to purchase cotton at Rs5,000 per40 kg in case the farmers receive low prices against the white-gold (cotton) in market. Fakhar added that the government was committed to protecting rights of peasants. He, however, stated that farmers would have to play their vital role also and ensure picking and transportation of neat and clean cotton. The clean cotton will fetch best price from markets, he noted. Similarly, it will also benefit textile industry. About the policy related to prices, the minister remarked that it was evolved to maintain quality standard of the prodcut.