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By Muhammad Atif Ismail
MULTAN, Sep 24 (APP):Once revered as a bastion of a flourishing cotton empire Pakistan now stands at a crossroads, compelled to reignite the embers of its cotton cultivation legacy.
A nation that once stood proudly self-reliant in cotton production now grapples with the staggering burden of importing vast quantities of cotton, incurring billions of dollars in costs.
Yet, amid this daunting challenge, a quiet revolution is unfurling in the arid expanses of Cholistan and some selected pockets of Balochistan. These lands, previously uncharted territory for agriculture, now emerge as the vanguards of a burgeoning movement towards demand-driven organic farming.
In the expansive and arid landscapes of Cholistan, a remarkable shift toward the revival of organic cotton is currently unfolding. Local farmers are increasingly embracing the idea of organic cotton cultivation adding another chapter to the diverse narratives that drive the promotion of organic agricultural practices in the region.
However, one account stands out amidst these stories of transformation — the inspiring journey of three determined cousins: Shahid Nadeem, Shoukat Ali, and Rafaqat Ali.
They are sowing the seeds of change across an impressive expanse of 950 acres at Fort Mauj Garh in Yazman Mandi, marking not only the resurgence of Pakistan’s cotton industry but also the burgeoning allure of organic cotton. It serves as a beacon of hope in the country’s pursuit of sustainability and economic growth.
“I have been cultivating crops for the past decade. Last year, I took the significant step of dedicating 100 acres to organic crops and the results were rewarding,” remarked Shahid Nadeem. “Now, alongside my cousins, Shoukat Ali and Rafaqat Ali, we have successfully cultivated 950 acres of organic cotton.”
Shared his experience, Shahid said after two pickings, we achieved an average of 22 maund per acre, surpassing conventional cotton farmers who could manage only 18 maund per acre.”
For these three cousins, their mission extends beyond mere profitability; it champions the cause of environmental stewardship. Their inspiration stems from the remarkable journey of another pioneering farmer, Muhammad Ramzan Watto, who had successfully cultivated organic cotton for several years.
“I cultivated organic cotton on 100 acres last year, reaping handsome returns. This year, my two cousins also joined the race and together, they are trying to revitalize the country’s rich cotton legacy,” he said.
Commenting on organic cotton, Shahid remarked, “It is sustainable and an eco-friendly farming practice. It’s input cost is significantly low and demand is massive in the international market. Clothes made of this cotton are sold expensively.”
He informed that a reputed textile group was offering him a premium price as he was selling cotton to this group at Rs 10,600 as compared to the market price of Rs 9,300. “Many more textile groups are also contacting farmers for availability of organic cotton.”
Globally, experts closely monitor the quality of textiles in terms of chemical pesticide usage and they are willing to pay more for chemical pesticide-free cotton and its products as they save people from allergic disorder.
In organic cotton farming, farmers use a solution made from “Kortumma, Oak, Neem” and other local plants and farmers can themselves prepare these bio-pesticides.
The leaves of “Neem tree, aak, kortuma, tobacco, moringa” are soaked in five liters of water for 10 hours and then boiled. After boiling, about 120 liters of water is mixed with the solution and then sprayed. This organic spray maintains the health of the soil and is safer for cotton picker women and other farmers.
Shahid Nadeem says that organic spray does not harm friendly pests, unlike chemical pesticides and this ecological balance is crucial to prevent resurgence of dangerous pests that become challenging in the absence of friendly pests.
It has been noticed that a significant number of local farmers had shown interest in organic cotton, with six to seven large-scale farmers already cultivating organic cotton in the surrounding area of Fort Mauj Garh (Cholistan).
Dr Khalid Mehmood, an expert and the head of a non-governmental organization working to promote organic cotton has also highlighted the global significance of this sustainable approach.
“The business of textile products revolves around 2.5 trillion dollars globally. Due to environmental factors, the world is moving towards organic cotton. Although there is low use of organic cotton at the moment, it will have a bright future,” Khalid Mahmood said.
“In Pakistan, approximately 60 percent of chemical pesticides are used in cotton crops, causing damage to both the environment and soil health,” Dr Khalid claimed and said, “his organization provided training to 30,000 farmers with a focus to promote organic cotton.”
He informed that with the cooperation of WWF, efforts are underway to promote organic cotton cultivation on 100,000 acres in the country.
“Some areas including Balochistan (Khuzdar, Kohloo) and Cholistan (Yazman, Fort Abbas, etc.) have immense potential for organic cotton cultivation.”
He stated, “Our neighboring country is leading in terms of organic cotton production with its farmers sowing organic cotton on around 400,000 acre land.”
The experts believed that amidst the challenges faced by Pakistan’s cotton industry, the organic cotton’s revival in Cholistan and Balochistan represents a beacon of hope for farmers and the entire industry.
Therefore, a comprehensive plan was required to groom this sector and open avenues for more exports and revenue generation.