Artistic Fabric Mills Farms for a Sustainable Future With New Project

Cotton is Pakistan’s largest industrial sector, per the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International . And yet, the industry is losing up to 15 percent of its value through traditional agricultural practices.

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That’s one of the reasons Artistic Fabric Mills (AFM) launched the afm.Regenerative Cotton project last year: to enhance and promote the bio-diversified ecosystem while ensuring equitable conditions for the farmers in the Balochistan region of Pakistan.

The vertically integrated denim and jean manufacturer announced last week that the farms under the project are the first and only regenerative farms in Pakistan to be Regenagri certified by Control Union , an agricultural certification body that sets standards across all aspects of regenerative agriculture.

With AFM production facilities previously Regenagri certified, this milestone completes the chain of custody for regenerative cotton processing at AFM—ensuring traceability , responsibility and eco-conscious practices “from farm to fashion.”

Saba Iqbal , director of AFM, being the only farms in Pakistan with Regenagri certification is a testament to its teams’ commitment. “It will contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change by reducing emissions and sequestering carbon, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to climate resilience,” she said. “We believe this initiative will have a positive impact on the entire cotton value chain. AFM remains dedicated to scaling up regenerative cotton farming , working closely with all stakeholders to promote sustainable agriculture practices and fostering positive change in the denim industry.”

Covering the Barkhan region of Baluchistan , which accounts for 500-plus farms across over 7,600 acres of land, AFM said this is a landmark step toward environmentally-conscious farming initiatives in Pakistan. The program is made possible through funding from AFM and implementation by WWF Pakistan .

To protect the health of regenerative crops, AFM has also adopted natural pest control methods, integrated pest management (IPM) techniques and organic fertilizers made with waste, plants and herbs—eliminating the need for toxic chemicals and pesticides.

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“AFM is committed to reform the cotton farming sector through the initiatives and practices under afm.Regenerative Cotton,” said Iqbal Ahmed , chairman of AFM. “This is a pivotal moment for the agricultural and textile community in Pakistan , putting our country on the map for traceable, sustainable and future-forward agricultural and textile processing that is shaping the global supply chain.”

With certified Regenagri cotton, AFM can present sustainable collections to its buyers while providing a complete chain of custody detailing the product’s journey through the supply chain. Not to mention, regenerative practices support small-scale farmers by encouraging fair labor practices and engaging local female farmers to improve livelihood and community development, the company said.

The project is built on a “continuous improvement model,” the women-led company said, covering the complete supply chain. Various aspect of farming including soil health management, livestock management, holistic vision and landscape management, environmental impact to reduce carbon footprint, and farmer community development are measured through periodical assessments.

The result is regenerative cotton with complete transparency documented and approved by the accredited organization. The entire process—from cotton crop to ginning and spinning to weaving—is Regenagri certified. The full chain of custody certification ensures data transparency and integrity throughout the production journey, including authenticated regenerative product delivery.

AFM said it’s a “pioneer” in regenerative cotton farming and prioritizes ethical sourcing. By doing so, Pakistan’s transition toward regenerative cotton farming can have a “ripple effect” on the global textile market, potentially inspiring others to make greener choices.

“We are delighted to be a part of this initiative, which not only benefits our planet but also improves farmers’ livelihoods and enables us to produce high-quality cotton products for our valuable customers,” said Asma Omar, AFM’s CSR and strategic programs manager.

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