Latest news with #SoortyRegenagriInitiative
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Soorty Is Building a More Resilient, Traceable Cotton Supply Chain
The Soorty Organic Cotton Initiative (SOCI) announced this week that its first private-sector textile manufacturer project in Pakistan will be recognized by the Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) as a partner in the OCA Seed Commercialization Initiative. Through a seed multiplication initiative, SOCI ensures farmers receive high-quality, high-yield, non-genetically-modified seeds at sustainable costs, creating a path for a stronger, more resilient organic cotton supply chain. The OCA Seed Commercialization Initiative supports farmers in transitioning to organic practices, boosting crop yields, and reducing reliance on chemical inputs. More from Sourcing Journal Traceability Platform Fairly Made Closes 15 Million Euro Funding Round Fiber Traceability: A Competitive Advantage in an Evolving Textile Market Supporting Supplier Relationships to Achieve Traceability Soorty launched SOCI in 2021 as a program that brings organic farming practices and a better way of life to farmers in the Balochistan region of Pakistan. The program debuted with 800 farmers, and enrollment ballooned to 13,000 by 2023. In 2020, SOCI achieved an In-Conversion Year-1 (IC1) certification, which is provided by the Control Union (CU), a third-party certification firm. The achievement confirms the transition to organic farming. SOCI is one of several programs the Pakistani vertical denim manufacturer has in progress to uplift local farmers and promote traceability. Launched last year, the Soorty Regenagri Initiative (SRI) project in collaboration with the Rural Education and Economic Development Society (REEDS) aims to revitalize agricultural ecosystems through regenerative farming. With SRI, Soorty seeks to produce cotton in a more environmentally friendly manner that fosters transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain. By implementing regenerative agricultural practices, SRI focuses on enhancing soil health, conserving biodiversity, reducing chemical dependency, and promoting water conservation. Additionally, Soorty is working toward regenerative organic certification by the end of the year. The mill is building traceability into its cotton as well with a project that will help brands (and eventually consumers) gain visibility into the origins of their cotton. The first QR-coded cotton bales are expected to be produced by the end of this year. A state-of-the-art laboratory recently opened at Soorty's facilities in Karachi to monitor and enhance cotton quality, specifically off-season testing under climate-controlled growth room, testing fiber purity, GMO-free seed, and sustainability metrics to ensure high industry standards. Soorty is also partnering with SAWiE, a digital agricultural platform that leverages data analytics and AI to provide farmers with real-time insights, resource optimization, GIS-based remote sensing, farmer advisory, and climate-smart farming solutions. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Soorty, OCA partner to boost sustainable cotton in Pakistan
Through Soorty's partnership in the OCA Seed Commercialization Initiative it is tackling the long-standing challenge of providing access to safe, non-genetically modified organism (GMO) cotton seeds and boosting the traceability of sustainable cotton in Pakistan. By participating in this project, SOCI can supply farmers with dependable access to superior, non-GMO seeds, marking a significant advancement in the cultivation of organic cotton. Soorty agriculture ventures and traceability head Dr Yousaf said: "As we embrace project digitalisation, we are revolutionising farmer advisory with modern tools, ensuring traceability through the digital bale passport, and strengthening our initiatives with a dedicated seed laboratory. By launching the new ROC project, we are not just advancing sustainability — we are empowering farmers, enhancing transparency, and shaping the future of responsible agriculture." Soorty's approach to sustainability encompasses a broad spectrum of activities including regenerative and organic farming, recycling advancements, traceability efforts, and ethical manufacturing practices. The company integrates responsible sourcing, an innovative culture, social impact, and digital transparency to demonstrate that denim production can be conducted in a manner that benefits both the environment and individuals within the supply chain. Soorty's additional sustainability endeavours include promoting social uplift and transforming Pakistan's cotton sector via sustainable practices. SOCI and the Soorty Regenagri Initiative (SRI) are central to these efforts, providing non-GMO, ethically produced cotton that also rejuvenates the soil. These initiatives offer farmers financial stability, education, and ongoing support while integrating traceability solutions and ensuring fair market access for growers. Second Life, a trademark brand of recycled cotton products under the Soorty umbrella, enhances Soorty's commitment to circularity by converting post-consumer and post-industrial waste into new, traceable denim products. Soorty is also working towards achieving Regenerative Organic certification by year-end. This certification will complement Soorty's existing organic programmes aimed at enhancing soil health and biodiversity. Furthermore, the company has initiated a project that will provide brand partners and eventually consumers with visibility into the origins of their cotton. The introduction of QR-coded cotton bales is anticipated by the end of this year, enabling users to verify the source of their cotton and promote accountability within the supply chain. The newly established Soorty Seed Integrity Lab represents another investment in quality assurance. The lab is equipped to conduct off-season testing in climate-controlled environments, assess fibres purity, verify GMO-free seeds, and measure sustainability metrics to uphold industry standards. Soorty has also partnered with digital agriculture platform SAWIE to empower farmers by providing them with access to data analytics and artificial intelligence through a digital agricultural platform. A formal agreement was signed on 22 January as part of Soorty's dedication to enhancing cotton-growing communities in Pakistan. SAWIE CEO Dr Khalid Mahmood said: 'Through SAWIE Trace, we are enabling full transparency from farm to fashion, ensuring that every step of the journey is rooted in sustainability. By integrating regenerative and organic farming systems, we aim to reduce the ecological footprint of cotton, enhance water conservation, improve soil health, lower carbon emissions, and improve farmer incomes. This partnership marks a significant step towards a more responsible and climate-smart textile industry.' Soorty is implementing initiatives that strengthen women's roles in farming communities and digitising financial transactions to increase transparency and efficiency for all stakeholders involved. In August last year, Soorty Enterprises claimed to be the first organisation in Pakistan seeking to hit net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validating its near-term reduction targets. "Soorty, OCA partner to boost sustainable cotton in Pakistan" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
