Pakistan’s Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), with FAO and other partners, has launched a project to transform banana waste into eco-friendly textile fiber, promoting sustainability and economic growth.
The initiative was introduced during a workshop alongside the “Made in Pakistan SME Cluster Showcase Expo 2026” and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). SMEDA will lead the project in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change, Sindh government departments, FAO, and the National Textile University.
Officials said the project will run from 2026 to 2031, engaging 40,000 women and students, and convert discarded banana crop residue into raw fiber for textiles, handicrafts, bags, and packaging. The initiative supports Pakistan’s textile sector while addressing pollution and promoting circular economy solutions.
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