Global Director Implementation, Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), Ms Alia Malik, accompanied by Dr Shafiq, country Director BCI and Dr Shahid Zia from Lok sanjh called on Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan here in Islamabad today. Federal Secretary NFS&R Dr. Hashim Popalzai and Economic Consultant Dr. Muhammad Ali Talpur were also present. Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)formed in 2005 ,works with a diverse range of stakeholders across the cotton supply chain to promote measurable and continuing improvements for the environment, farming communities and economies of cotton producing nations. This non-profit organization is working in 21 countries across the globe The basic slogan of BCI is organic cotton production for better environment as the crop is not treated with pesticides, insecticides and herbicides along with less usage of water. BCI is working in Pakistan for sustainable cotton and it is intriguing to mention that in year 2016-17 a project in collaboration with BTI was formulated by Textile Ministry for better cotton but could not get the subsequent approval by then government. The Global Implementation Director of BCI , Ms Alia Malik told the honorable Minister that for sustainable cotton production 1.7 million cotton farmers are registered with the NGO globally and out of which 0.5 million are Pakistan farmers which is encouraging for this will achieve social and economic benefits for Pakistan as its annual consumption is 2.2 million tons, moreover over the years with the BCI initiatives there is a marked decrease in use of pesticides and water with a better chance of export. Federal Minister said that the government has launched the agriculture emergency program, although cotton is not its component but the cotton status and increased cotton production is deliberated in earnest by the incumbent government and it is hoped that the Ministry of National Food Security could work together with BCI for the targets thus set through inclusion of sustainable cotton production in the project. He added that we are working with KP government for potential growing of cotton for the increase in cotton cultivation area is under consideration. Ms Malik remarked that BCI is quite happy with the success of the response in Pakistan regarding sustainable cotton but more is yet to be achieved and BCI with the assistance from the Pakistan government would assist cotton farmers. ***************** ?
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