First OCA Pakistan event focuses on policy and financing for organic cotton

Core Insights - The meeting held in Lahore aimed to identify priorities for sustainable scaling of organic cotton production in Pakistan, involving stakeholders from various sectors [1] - The event focused on investment options and accountability to enhance supply chain transparency and build market connections for organic cotton [2] Group 1: Stakeholder Collaboration - The OCA executive director emphasized the importance of collaboration among farmers, industry, policymakers, researchers, and civil society to strengthen local markets and create opportunities for rural communities [3] - OCA aims to support over 10,000 organic cotton farmers in the 2025-2026 season, operating on nearly 60,000 hectares across Baluchistan, Punjab, and Sindh provinces [3][4] Group 2: Production and Support - The forecast for the upcoming season is approximately 16,000 metric tonnes of lint cotton produced by these farmers [4] - OCA partners with local groups to provide essential resources such as non-genetically modified seeds, agronomic training, financial guidance, and market access [4] Group 3: Technological Advancements - OCA introduced digital tools to improve data collection and transparency within the organic cotton sector, aiding decision-making along the value chain [5] - The organization has enhanced laboratory procedures for testing organic integrity and tailored its training curriculum to meet local needs [5] Group 4: Long-term Vision - The country manager highlighted that transitioning to organic cotton is a pathway to greater stability for farming communities, emphasizing a collaborative supply chain approach [6]