Pakistan Reintroduces Cotton Grading & Standardisation System

Pakistan’s cotton grading and standardisation system will be reintroduced after several decades with a touch of modernity, mainly due to the efforts of Pakistan Cotton Brokers Association (PCBA).

“We, along with other stake holders would try to finalise a date and venue for relaunch next month, possibly August 14, the Independence Day,” PCBA President Kashif Islam told APP.

“Pakistani cotton is going to make a mark on the world cotton stage once the system is reactivated as a pilot project though it’s full enforcement across the country would take around three to five years,” Islam said in a statement.

“It’s like a dream turning into reality,” he said and added that all this grading and standardisation system would be enforced under the umbrella of Pakistan Cotton Standard Institute (PCSI).

“Khalid Mahmood, a noted cotton expert, welcomed the initiative as a good beginning to reviving the culture of producing and processing cotton in a way, attaching quality to the white gold,” APP reported.

“The revival of this system would encourage farmers to harvest good quality seed cotton to get premium price or face price discount in case of poor quality and the same holds true for ginners too,” Khalid Mahmood informed.
Kashif Islam said the system will evolve a grading and standardisation system matching new trends and international standards.

“It, however, would take around three to five years to materialise as it would involve framing rules and regulations on the pattern of ICA and arbitration,” he noted.

Cotton grading and standardisation was introduced in Pakistan in 80’s that had ensured better returns to farmers and ginners and supply of good quality fibre to textile industry, but for reasons unknown was later discontinued in the 90’s.