First OCA Pakistan event focuses on policy and financing for organic cotton
The multi-stakeholder organisation held the meeting in Lahore and online on 20 November 2025, bringing together figures from government, finance, industry, and farming.
The stakeholder event attempted to identify priorities that could support the sustainable scaling of organic cotton production across Pakistan.
Participants considered how policies could facilitate the shift of farmers to organic methods and ways to jointly address sector challenges.
They also reviewed options for investment and accountability to improve transparency in the supply chain and discussed how to build market connections that ensure ongoing demand for organic cotton.
OCA executive director Bart Vollaard said: “We’re grateful to our local partners for welcoming us and for their commitment to organic cotton. Collaboration like this sits at the heart of OCA’s mission. By bringing farmers, industry, policymakers, researchers and civil society together, we can strengthen local markets, create more opportunities for rural communities, and ensure Pakistan’s organic cotton earns the recognition it deserves.”
OCA, which started its work in Pakistan nearly three years ago, expects to support more than 10,000 organic cotton farmers in the 2025-2026 season.
These farmers operate on nearly 60,000 hectares in Baluchistan, Punjab, and Sindh provinces and are forecasted to produce about 16,000 metric tonnes (mt) of lint cotton during the season.
OCA partners with local groups to provide farmers with non-genetically modified seed, agronomic training, financial guidance, and reliable links to markets.
In addition, OCA introduced digital tools aimed at improving data collection and transparency within the sector. This technology supports better decision-making among partners along the value chain, said the organisation.
OCA has also worked on enhancing laboratory procedures for testing organic integrity, implemented a tailored version of its Organic Cotton Training Curriculum suited for local needs, and encouraged farmer participation through workshops and community engagement initiatives.
OCA Pakistan country manager Rubab Zahra said: “In Pakistan, the transition to organic cotton is not just a shift in farming methods, it is a pathway to greater stability for farming communities. Our focus is on building a supply chain where farmers are supported, information is openly shared, and all partners work side by side. This collaborative approach is essential for delivering long-term resilience and ensuring Pakistan’s organic cotton sector continues to grow.”
“First OCA Pakistan event focuses on policy and financing for organic cotton” was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.
