Pakistan: Environmental Impact of Cotton Production and Trade

The paper analyzes the cotton commodity chain in Pakistan, highlighting the severe environmental degradation caused by heavy pesticide use in farming and untreated effluent discharge in textile processing. It argues that the transition to sustainable alternatives, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic cotton, is hindered by a failing government-driven governance system in agriculture and a buyer-driven system in apparel. The author suggests that a successful transition requires strengthening government research and extension networks and engaging private pesticide companies in a collaborative framework.

• Cotton is the most critical economic sector in Pakistan, contributing approximately 10% to the GDP and 55% of foreign exchange earnings, with 70% of the crop's products exported.
• The agricultural sector in Pakistan is characterized by a 'government-driven' commodity chain where the state influences farmers through research, extension, and credit, though this system has deteriorated over time.
• Pesticide use in Pakistani cotton production is estimated between 13,000 and 15,000 tonnes annually, with farmers often applying 8 to 13 sprays per season, exceeding recommended levels.
• Pakistan is experiencing a 'pesticide treadmill' where pests like the American bollworm and whitefly have developed significant resistance, requiring massive increases in chemical applications to be effective.
• Pesticide poisoning is a severe health risk for cotton workers; one study of female cotton pickers found that 74% had moderate poisoning and 25% had dangerous levels of blood acetylcholinestrase inhibition.
• The textile processing industry causes significant water pollution by discharging untreated effluents with high pH, BOD, COD, and TSS levels that often exceed national and international standards.
• European bans on azo dyes, which are suspected carcinogens, have impacted Pakistani exports, with random tests showing that 34% of Pakistani textile imports contained these banned substances.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a viable alternative to conventional farming, but its adoption in Pakistan is blocked by a lack of training for extension staff and the influence of powerful pesticide companies.
• Organic cotton production is not recorded in Pakistan, but evidence from India suggests it involves initial yield reductions of about 50%, which may be offset by price premiums of 10% to 20%.
• The apparel sector is a 'buyer-driven' chain where large international retailers have the power to enforce labor and environmental standards through inspection and the threat of exiting the supplier relationship.

APA

Banuri, T. (1999). Pakistan: Environmental Impact of Cotton Production and Trade. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/pk_Banuri.pdf

Chicago

Banuri, Tariq. Pakistan: Environmental Impact of Cotton Production and Trade. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 1999. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/pk_Banuri.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Banuri |first1=Tariq |title=Pakistan: Environmental Impact of Cotton Production and Trade |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=1999 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/pk_Banuri.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{banuri1999pakistan, author = {Banuri, Tariq}, title = {{Pakistan: Environmental Impact of Cotton Production and Trade}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {1999}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/pk_Banuri.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }