MULTAN, Pakistan: The country’s top agriculture scientists, academics, and experts joined brainstorming sessions at an online conference, acknowledging the huge potential Pakistan possesses in organic cotton and the way forward to translate it into action toward growth excellence and bring foreign exchange earnings home.
The event was organized by SAWiE, a climate-smart agriculture digital platform providing real-time advisories, and the country’s ace cotton research body Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) on Aug 31 at Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) Multan, CCRI spokesman said on Saturday.
The 2nd Annual SAWiE Conference on Organic Cotton Pakistan centered around knowledge sharing and the dissemination of best practices. It drew a diverse audience that included policymakers, industry professionals, farmers, and researchers. The primary objective was to bridge gaps and foster collaboration throughout the entire organic cotton value chain, promoting a comprehensive approach.
Dr. Khalid Mahmood from Sawie and Prof. Dr. Rana Iqrar Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, inaugurated the conference and emphasized the urgent need to enhance soil health by augmenting organic matter content.
Dr. Yusuf Zafar, the former Chairman of PARC and CABI, underscored Pakistan’s immense potential in the organic cotton sector.
Citing findings from a Textile Exchange report, he revealed, “Pakistan has the capacity to achieve an astonishing 405% growth in organic cotton production.”
“This numerical potential must be translated into actionable initiatives,” he said and stressed the need for synergy calling for synergy among all stakeholders to harness this opportunity.
He also mentioned that Pakistan was on the brink of establishing standards and certifications aligned with organic cotton production.
Dr. Tassawar Hussain, Secretary of PCCC, expressed appreciation for the efforts of key contributors, particularly WWF and the Balochistan Agriculture Department, in promoting organic cotton in Pakistan. He offered unwavering support for its growth.
Asif Mehmood from the Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) congratulated the participants, stating, “Pakistan is now recognized internationally as a producer of organic cotton.”
Dr. Shahid Mansoor, advisor at ICCBS Karachi, highlighted the significance of developing non-GMO seed varieties that require less water and fewer nutrients.
Hafiz Muhammad Bux, head of Organic Cotton WWF Pakistan, commended Sawie for proactively providing a platform to address critical factors in organic cotton production, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to overcome challenges in the organic cotton value chain.
Dr. Ghulam Ali, chairman of PARC, stressed the importance of establishing local standards and certifications for organic cotton that align with international benchmarks. He also emphasized the need to create new organic cotton clusters in regions such as Barani Tract, Cholistan, Layyah, Bhakkar, and KPK areas around DI Khan.
Saqib Ali Ateel, Secretary of Agriculture South Punjab, recognized the conference’s potential to bridge the gap between knowledge and practical application. He acknowledged the necessity of revamping conventional agricultural practices in the country, with a strong focus on soil management. Ateel stressed the importance of transitioning from soil degradation to soil fertility to leave a legacy of fertile land for future generations.
Prof. Asif Ali, Vice-Chancellor of MNSUA, expressed unwavering institutional commitment and pledged full cooperation to further the growth of the organic cotton sector.
The progressive farmer Mumtaz Manis emphasized: “We need to reduce the use of pesticides and improve IPM practices to control pests and diseases.” —APP
