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FAISALABAD, Jan 15 (APP):Cotton production declined from 14 million bales in 2014 to 10 million bales in 2024 that needs promotion of eco-friendly industrial hemp to safeguard the textile industry.
This was stated by the experts while addressing the inaugural session of three-day international stakeholder workshop and exhibition on “Industrial Hemp Value Chain”, opened at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).
In the welcome address, UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Sarwar Khan called for mapping out a strategy to address challenges and explore opportunities in the industrial hemp value chain. He stressed the need for collaborative efforts on the part of experts, policy makers and industry. As the world continues to recognise the significance of hemp as a versatile and sustainable resource, the workshop would be a step forward in shaping its future in Pakistan, he added.
Vice Chancellor University of Kamalia Prof Dr Yasir Nawab said that Pakistan depended upon 70 per cent on natural fiber and rest of the portion went to synthetic fiber. He said that decrease in cotton production in Pakistan was creating an opportunity for sustainable fibres. Hemp and other local commodities have the great potential and there was a need to develop quality fibers at reasonable cost, he added.
Director Soil Science UAF Dr Zahir Ahmad Zahir said that industrial hemp, as a diverse plant, can be a revolutionary crop for a better economy.
It was an eco-friendly and worthwhile crop that complements a sustainable growth system, he said, adding that industrial hemp farming had the potential to dramatically minimize the amount of carbon impact on the environment.
He said that hemps was used in textiles, paper, furniture, cosmetics and healthcare products etc.
Dr Saddam Hussain from UAF said that they had established a complete value chain of hemp fiber including its production, processing and utilization.
He said that they selected the non toxic hemp material and optimized the hemp agronomy. They have developed prototypes (fabic, knitwear) in collaboration with industry, he added.
MPA Qasim Nadeem, Dr Nayyab Khan and others also spoke on the occasion while the experts from abroad also addressed the technical session.
The exhibition of hemp products was also arranged and remained a center of attraction for locals.