Pakistan’s cotton industry is one of its most important. It was essential in the growth of the country’s economy and continues to provide for the needs of thousands of farmers. Due to inefficient methods of manufacturing, transportation, and storage, Pakistan’s textile sector loses between 10 to 15 percent of its annual value, or around US$350 million. More money can be made from the cotton crop if production is sustained and quality is enhanced, but this is hindered by factors such as the improper use of pesticides, water, the incorrect application of chemical fertilizers, transportation and storage issues, and a lack of knowledge and expertise .
Sustainable agricultural methods and technology are increasingly being adopted by farmers to lessen their influence on the environment and boost crop yields in the face of growing concerns about the long-term viability of their land’s soil, biodiversity, and economic viability .
This article provides an in-depth discussion of the what, why, and how of cotton farming with a focus on sustainability. As the need for cotton grows, more and more resources will need to be used to meet it. Sustainable agriculture plays a key role in avoiding the exhaustion of these materials.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) places an emphasis on cotton, since it is the primary organic fiber used in its certification criteria and as it is the primary focus of the standard’s consideration of the social and environmental impacts of cotton processing and garment production. Cotton is also a component of many other agricultural standard . As far as production goes, the Better Cotton Initiative is light years ahead of the competition.
It’s important to note that the focus of each initiative varies, depending on whether it’s geographical or problem-based. Organic cotton standards, for instance, are governed by national organic agricultural agencies in each producing country and are designed to minimize negative effects on the environment. Although environmental considerations are a part of what makes up the Fairtrade standard, it is primarily concerned with farmers and rural communities . Unlike the organic and Fairtrade standards, BCI’s social and environmental requirements do not represent the gold standard.click here)
In order to encourage and enable farm sustainability, supply chain traceability, and acceptable working conditions, the REEL Cotton program has developed a three-year training curriculum and approved code of conduct called REEL Cotton. Farmers in India, Pakistan, China, Egypt, and Peru benefit from REEL Cotton’s educational programming and supply chain traceability services for brands.
The REEL Cotton Programme – CottonConnect, a non-governmental organization located in the United Kingdom with a mission to improve the quality of life in the key cotton-growing regions of four African nations, runs its primary program around the cultivation of cotton. As a result of their Farmer Business School courses, over 25,600 farmers have profited. CottonConnect is a program manager and an implementation partner for the Better Cotton Initiative. Farmers that participate in REEL Cotton get BCI certification for their cotton . The program has educated 560,000 farmers on sustainable cotton production across all of its initiativess
