Balochistan termed fertile for organic cotton

Promoting organic agriculture to help tackle climate change-related issues

QUETTA:

The World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Pakistan Organic Cotton Programme in collaboration with the Agriculture Extension Department (AED), organized a seminar on ‘Organic Cotton Production in Balochistan’ to mark World Cotton Day.

This seminar was held at the University of Balochistan (UoB), Quetta.

People from different walks of life including the representatives of textile groups, professionals from the agriculture field, researchers, students, and farmers’ representatives participated in the seminar.

Director General Balochistan Agriculture Research Institute, Inamul Haq, was the chief guest of the seminar. Vice Chancellor (VC) of the UoB Dr Shafiqur Rehman and Pro VC Dr Syed Ainuddin were also present.

Manager Organic Cotton Programme WWF-Pakistan, Hafiz Muhammad Bakhsh gave an overview of the

WWF’s cotton initiative in Balochistan. He said that the organic cotton production system has positive impacts on the environment, farmers’ livelihood, and the national economy.

“Balochistan has great potential – due to its climate and vast areas of virgin land – for the cultivation and promotion of organic cotton,” he added.

Deputy Director Agriculture, Dr Habibullah Shah, and the focal person for the programme highlighted the scope, potential, and challenges being faced in promoting organic cotton in the province.

Dr Arif Shah Kakar, entomologist from the agriculture department, explained in his presentation that organic farming promotes biodiversity and benefits the ecosystem as it discourages the use and application of GMOs, synthetic pesticides, and fertilizers, which are hazardous for human health and our environment.

The chief guest of the seminar thanked WWF-Pakistan and the AED for organizing such an important event in Quetta.

The VC maintained that Pakistan has been facing the worst consequences of climate change, and we must revert back to sustainable practices in agriculture and other sectors to withstand and minimize the disastrous effects of climate change.

Promoting organic agriculture could be one feasible and effective solution to most of the climate change-related issues being faced by the country.