Pakistan’s first organic cotton bale harvested in Balochistan

QUETTA: Balochistan has produced Pakistan’s first organic cotton bale, while the ceremony for its certification was held at Kot Sabzal, ARY News reported Thursday.

According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the harvesting of the cotton bale was made possible due to cooperation of Balochistan’s Department of Agriculture.

Balochistan’s Minister for Agriculture Engineer Zamrak Khan said the provincial government was committed to promoting organic agriculture throughout the province. He added the government was paying special attention to Balochistan.

He further said that Balochistan would be developing an organic agriculture policy soon.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan is the fifth largest producer of cotton in the world and the third largest exporter of raw cotton.

WWF-Pakistan Director General Hamad Naqi Khan said, “We have made a major breakthrough in the cotton sector of the country that will benefit stakeholders and the overall economy of Pakistan.”

In his remarks, Secretary Agriculture Balochistan Khaleeq Nazar Kiyani appreciated the efforts of WWF-Pakistan and the Agriculture Extension team.

“The certification is a step towards a more sustainable Pakistan. Production of organic cotton will propel the cotton sector into a new direction,” he said.

Later, a consultative workshop was conducted in which representatives from ginners, spinners, textiles, brokers and brands participated and presented their concerns regarding development of a tenable supply chain of organic cotton in Pakistan.