CABI News

Better Cotton Conference, Istanbul, Türkiye, 2024.

CABI has won the Innovators Award 2024 at the annual Better Cotton Conference in Istanbul, gaining recognition for its contribution to supporting farmers in Pakistan, helping them to improve their economic, environmental and social well-being.

Better Cotton CEO, Alan McClay, presented the award to CABI during the annual conference which took place from 24-28 June. CABI’s Global Director for Value Chains and Trade, Neil Willsher, collected the award on behalf of Dr Babar Bajwa, CABI’s Senior Regional Director for Asia, for the work he has led with CABI’s team in Pakistan in Punjab and Sindh Province over the past 10 years.

This prestigious award recognizes not only CABI, but also the many partners involved in the project implementation.

CABI’s Global Director for Value Chains and Trade, Neil Willsher, collects Global Innovator award on behalf of Dr Babar Bajwa from Better Cotton CEO, Alan McClay (© Better Cotton).

CABI’s Global Director for Value Chains and Trade, Neil Willsher, collects Global Innovators Award on behalf of Dr Babar Bajwa from Better Cotton CEO, Alan McClay (© Better Cotton).

CABI is working with farmers at the field level in Punjab and Sindh, two major cotton growing regions in Pakistan. Through the project, smallholders are supported in sustainable cotton production practices. Innovations include looking at ways to better manage soil health, integrate modern water conservation technologies, and manage natural habitats through knowledge sharing and training.

The project also promotes women’s empowerment through the development of female entrepreneurship. Women’s businesses developed under the project now help to generate sustainable incomes through goat farming, kitchen gardening, and sewing and tailoring.

Furthermore, female workers have been trained in better cotton picking, health and safety, female empowerment and prevention of child labour. The work has improved the lives of many women and their communities.

Innovating to address crop pests and boost cotton yields

The project is already delivering concrete results. CABI has enhanced the capacity of over 31,000 Better Cotton farmers, helping them to implement the Better Cotton Standard System. Farmers have learnt valuable skills to protect their cotton crops from harmful insect pests and diseases.

Training has covered critical practices such as increasing soil fertility using compost and routine observation and testing to provide the correct soil nutrients. Farmers also received training in biological control, specifically developing field reservoirs of beneficial insects – natural enemies that control crop pests. Farmers have learnt how to conserve natural habitats on farms and make better use of water resources, for example ridge sowing. The land focused on within the project totalled almost 89,000 hectares and produced almost 79,000 metric tonnes of better cotton lint.

An annual event to recognize achievements in Better Cotton production

Around 300 people attended the conference, including staff from the Better Cotton project and members from the textile value chain, from cotton ginners and producers to global brands and development partners such as CABI.

The event spanned three days, focusing on production, traceability, certification, climate change, gender equity and integrated landscape management approaches all with an underlying theme to improve livelihoods. The conference’s work sessions included:

● Living income – what does effective farmer remuneration look like?
● Producers’ organizations as partners and levers for change
● Harvesting hope, navigating daily challenges and social barriers as women farmers in Pakistan
● Do carbon markets make sense for smallholders?
● Accelerating gender actions and innovations
● Harvesting success – unveiling the role of standards for Regen Agri
● Traceability: what role can certification play?
● Introduction to first mile traceability in Pakistan (CABI & Reed)

While a global vision for change in cotton farming is essential, understanding local challenges and realities is equally crucial.

Another key takeaway was the focus on ‘action over perfection’. Speakers highlighted the necessity of taking risks and not delaying efforts to accelerate impact in the cotton sector.

Involving farmers in policymaking was underscored to ensure policies have practical effects. Notably, the conference recognized increased participation from farmers and trainers. Gender equity was another focal point, with calls to integrate a ‘gender lens’ in all cotton industry activities to address the unique barriers women face.

Under the theme ‘Pay more to get more’, the conference advocated for increased investment to achieve greater impact. Participants shared success stories, collaborative efforts, and progress, expressing optimism for the industry’s collective future.