In a significant development, the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) and CAB International (CABI) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on pioneering research initiatives focused on promoting organic cotton and implementing integrated pest management (IPM) in the country.
The signing ceremony was held at the PCCC headquarters here on Friday as Director Research PCCC Dr. Taswar Hussain Malik and CABI’s Senior Regional Director Asia, Dr. Babar Ehsan Bajwa formalized the agreement.
Dr. Muhammad Naveed Afzal, Director, CCRI Multan, Dr. Muzammil Farooq (CABI) and other officials were also present at the occasion.
Under the terms of the agreement, a new CABI office was inaugurated at the PCCC headquarters in Multan, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort to advance organic cotton practices in Pakistan.
Dr. Taswar Hussain Malik expressed his optimism about this partnership, emphasizing its potential to not only benefit local farmers but also contribute to the stability of the national economy. Organic cotton, as described by Dr. Taswar Hussain Malik, was cultivated without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides and is grown on land free from chemical effects for at least three years. The cultivation process involves non-genetically tested batches, ensuring a clean and sustainable approach to cotton production, he said.
Dr. Taswar Hussain Malik highlighted that the combined expertise of PCCC agricultural scientists, particularly those from the Central Cotton Research Institute, (CCRI) Multan, will positively influence the production and research of organic cotton seeds in the country.
CABI’s Senior Regional Director Asia, Dr. Babar Ehsan Bajwa acknowledged that certified organic cotton production in Pakistan currently accounts for less than 1 percent of global cotton cultivation due to challenges such as limited access to organic cotton seeds.—APP
