Banana Waste Textile Fibers
Pakistan Invest in the Reuse of Banana Waste for Textile Fibers
Kanesa D — March 5, 2026
Pakistan's Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other public-sector stakeholders, has unveiled a sustainability-driven initiative to convert banana waste from agriculture into an environmentally responsible textile fiber.
To ensure the success of this initiative, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is providing financial backing. SMEDA will oversee implementation in coordination with the Ministry of Climate Change, relevant departments within the Government of Sindh, FAO, and the National Textile University.
Scheduled to run from 2026 through 2031, the initiative is expected to engage approximately 40,000 women and students. By repurposing banana crop residue into raw fiber suitable for textiles, handicrafts, bags, and packaging materials, the program seeks to reduce agricultural waste, mitigate environmental impact, and strengthen supply chains within Pakistan’s textile industry.
