Pakistan is expected to return as one of the major world suppliers of raw cotton in 1995/96, with production forecast to rise 31 percent from 1994/95. Currently, output is estimated at 8.5 million 480-pound bales, the second largest crop in the country's history. Favorable weather contributed to the large increase, but more important was the improvement in the control of insects and disease; mainly the bollworm, whitefly and leaf-curl virus (LVC). Farmers' success in controlling these problems is reflected in crop yields well above those for the last three seasons. Pakistan's yield reached 617 kilograms per hectare, equaling that of the United States in 1995/96, but well below the Pakistani record of 768 kilograms in 1991/92 when production was record large at 10.0 million bales.