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cotton varieties on technology. We use technology to sustainable fiber production by the US cotton
cross breed; enhance the fiber characteristics of the industry? An Interview with
cotton like lint, strength, micronaire and all of other Willaim R. Bettendorf: The sustainability initiatives
fiber characteristics. Today the cross breeding of the taken by the US cotton industry are varied. We do have
windows cross breeding is history. In today’s world, in a lot of practices in place in order to manage and Interview Interview
order to survive, and yet to be more efficient the way produce sustainable cotton crop. Some of these M. Anees Khawaja
we maximize efficiency is, by using technology, to includes, production practices such as no-tail or
create superior seeds. The USA industry is leading the low-tail production in order to minimize soil erosion structures are not helping us at all. Mainly the energy that is the only thing which is out there for CEPEC. We
world in this and based on fiber properties, as well as and water runoff. We use quite a bit of technology to Director, Mahmood Group of Industries, Multan cost, to larger extents as well as now the raw material need to have a better communication. We had a lot of
our framing practices, we believe USA cotton is the look at our fields of cotton. In order to measure various and lastly the labor costs. This is not the cost that just communication on government to government level
most superior raw cotton in the world. things that impact the production of cotton such as happened in Pakistan but this has happened but he right people need to meet the right people and
water, is the field too dry or is it too wet, there could be year but, when you look at the consumption of ours. Pakistan has been a loyal customer of US cotton everywhere else. In rest of the countries the the government needs to take more initiative in finding
TEXtalks: What changes have been seen in the US insect damage. Using satellite technology and GPS synthetic fibers, it increases by 15-20% per year. When for a long time. Why would you buy foreign cotton government has really come out and helping the who are these who are ready to go for a joint venture
cotton production map over last 10 years? technology or even a drone, we can take a picture of you forecast it in 10, 20 or 30 years into the future there because you have your own cotton which is great for textile industry. or have Chinese investors coming in or even to go in
Willaim R. Bettendorf: Production in United States cotton fields and we can see where there is large is going to be a huge gap. We will see synthetic fiber certain uses. But because you are such a big china and invest over there as well. So what we need is
has fluctuated; generally we remained pretty steady insect infestations or where they are low so that when up on the top and that of natural fibers specially cotton exporters of textile to the global market you have to be TEXtalks: What is efficiency level of industrial more value added and I think Chinese can really be
over the past 10 years. A little higher, somewhere a we go into the field in order to apply the chemicals to at the very bottom that is our challenge. It also not just a net importer. Pakistan has to import cotton in order to concerns in Pakistan? How the situation can be helpful on that and with our GST Plus statuses the
little lower, but generally our production is quite manage a crop whether they need a fertilizer or a a challenge for us as a cotton industry, it’s a huge meet the demands of the customers. improved? Chinese would obviously be more willing to come into
consistent in terms of where the cotton is being grown. pesticide or a herbicide, by using the GPS maps we challenge for the environment. Anees Khawaja: For the efficiency, I personally think Pakistan as well.
Based on competitive commodity prices, the US can see where we need to apply those chemicals. US cotton is used for contamination free textile product that a lot of mills in Pakistan really need to improve
cotton has shifted a little bit further out of the west and If you start Googling micro-beeds, polyester that you are exporting to the global market. Or certain their efficiencies. I think, we are way behind from our TEXtalks: What more roles Government should play
in towards central parts of the United States, around We apply them using GPS technology tied into the micro-beeds, we are finding that polyester has a low higher quality products that have to be made from the own standards not from the world, but to be more for the betterment of textile sector?
Texas. The state of Texas is now our largest cotton tractor only where they are needed, down to about 3rd price, it can produce some great fabric but cotton that Pakistan does not produce. We see competitive we really need to work hard on that. The Anees Khawaja: There is a long list, from where I see,
producing state. Second largest cotton producing of a meter. So that tractors as it go up and down in the environmentally we have started to see some very Pakistan as a great partner. Also CPEC, the Chinese government, from the major part, where I disagree with government is just nowhere right now because they
state is Georgia on the east coast. If you look at the field, it will apply those chemicals only where they are negative ramifications setter. If you put a cotton shirt in have a very high quality standard that is why US cotton them on their policies but they have given a very come up they make promises they make us clap at
production map of the United States 10, 15 years ago needed. In the old days they were spread all across the ground, in 5 to years 10 years it will go back to the has been the number one in fiber suppliers to the attractive loan policy for a long term. Which a lot of us, whatever they announce for us and ultimately we stand
you can see much larger production in the west coast the field, those days are gone, we can’t do that. It’s Mother Nature but polyester is going to be there for a Chinese industry for year. if possible, should need to avail and try to be more at a place where they are not giving us anything at all.
in California. Unfortunately, due to higher prices for bad for the environment, it’s bad for the workers, and long long time. We have to not think about today but efficient with regards to being more on an automatic My very strong suggestion to the government, ,
grapes, nuts and vegetables, a lot of that production of it’s bad for the bank account, it’s wasteful. The cotton we have to think about tomorrow and how the use of As china and Pakistan are coming close and close industry where cost can be saved. because this is the right time, that they just need to
cotton has been moved out of California and into other farmers are business people just like anybody else and natural fiber is critical to our future well-being and not together, I think, we will see greater market share for implement whatever they promised, and that’s all
regions. buying expensive fertilizers and pesticide and for us but for our kids and our grandchildren and future US cotton, being consumed by the mills in Pakistan in TEXtalks: What do you think have most influenced we need.
the textile exports of Pakistan?
herbicide, they don’t want us to spend money more generations. order to meet the quality requirements to the Chinese. Anees Khawaja: As a country, we need more exports.
TEXtalks: What does sustainability mean to than they have to so they not just going to go and TEXtalks: How do you see such international
cotton USA? spread it around without knowing that how it’s going to TEXtalks: How do you see the scope of US cotton They know they cannot compete the commodity level What we need is more dollars to come in where we events, as by Cotton USA, for Pakistan
Willaim R. Bettendorf: Firstly, sustainability for the US effect the crop. for Pakistan? any longer; they are up in their game. We are seeing can have a better trade balance and something which textile industry?
cotton industry is critical. It is the only way, we can Willaim R. Bettendorf: Pakistan is a great market, the the Chinese start to nominate the US cotton in their can help our country grow as per the targets that we Anees Khawaja: This is a fantastic gathering. I think
survive. Sustainability means; we are sustainable for market has so much going for, it’ has a beautiful fabric supply chain, in order to provide high quality products. have. Ultimately, we are all Pakistani and this is what this Cotton USA platform is something I have a very
the environment, and we are not going to damage it. TEXtalks: What challenges the US cotton is facing with a long and very rich tradition of cotton industry Pakistan is a great market and it’s going to be a great we want that our country needs to grow more and thus strong supporter of, for the last many years. I think they
Because we need the environment, in order to at the moment? and there is so much potential. The US cotton industry future market. We are looking forward to do a lot the more exports. have been doing a wonderful job and more
produce crop in the future. It has to be sustainable for Willaim R. Bettendorf: The challenge is that the US is very very excited to have Pakistan as a partner of more in Pakistan industry and we are pleased to be importantly, making us understand that what the
our customers for the textile mills. We can’t price cotton is facing right now its not cotton from the other the partners. TEXtalks: How do you see the CEPEC having an standards that world is looking at and not just
impact on the textile industry of Pakistan?
ourselves out of the market and we have to be able to countries, it is polyester. When you look at the global Pakistan. We need to get out of the shell. When they
find a price point that is sustainable for our customers. cotton trade, the United States is the largest global Anees Khawaja: Honestly up till now, the general bring in a lot of people from Pakistan, it is a fantastic
So that you can come back again to buy more US supplier of raw fiber to the global mills. impression is that CEPEC is something will probably interaction all across Pakistan as well with
Cotton USA promotes U.S. cotton fibre around the shared recent developments and approaches of cotton in the future. Thirdly it has to be sustainable for Mahmood Group is a leading manufacturer and for the textile industry with TEXtalks International at going to whitewash the textile industry but I don’t think the members.
globe, which works in more than 50 countries through Cotton USA with TEXtalks International at 2017 Quality our producers because they have to make a profit as exporters of textile around the globe. The company Cotton USA Executive Delegation event Dubai.
20 offices around the world with an aim to set global Conference in Dubai. We are the third largest producers, behind China and encompasses the complete range of operations from
standards of purity, quality and responsibility in the well they have to feed their families. It’s a win-win-win India but when you look at the global exports the US is cotton growing, ginning, spinning and weaving to the TEXtalks: What are the main factors for the current
cotton industry. TEXtalks: How would you compare the US cotton combination between the buyer, the seller and, the number one. Our challenge is not competitive cotton finished apparel. crisis of Pakistan textile industry?
quality with other cottons of the world? environment, in the middle. from other countries but its polyester and synthetic Anees Khawaja: The biggest factor of them all is that
The Director of supply chain marketing at Cotton Willaim R. Bettendorf: The quality of American cotton fibers. When you look at global fiber consumptions, The Director of Mahmood Group– Mr Anees Khawaja the Pakistan textile industry is becoming uncompetitive
Council International, USA– Mr William R. Bettendorf is very good and reason is because we base our TEXtalks: What initiatives are taken for a cotton has a gradual increase, I think it may be 6% a shared recent developments, issues and the solutions with regards to the rest of the world where our cost
August/September 2017 August/September 2017

