Analysis of Water Footprint and Sustainability of the Cotton Supply Chain in Pakistan

Cotton is a major cash crop that is vital to the economic prosperity of agrarian economies. Finished cotton fabric consumes a large amount of water. The water consumption of cotton requires extensive analysis to build a sustainable supply chain. This study seeks to examine the water footprint (WF) of the cotton supply chain in Pakistan and assess its sustainability from cotton crop to finished fabric. The study employs the Water Footprint Assessment (WFA) methodology which calculates the green, blue, and grey water footprints of crop production and industrial processing. The results show that 22,596 m³ of water are consumed to produce 1 t of finished cotton fabric. The value of blue and grey WF is higher than green WF. Cotton cultivation and ginning are responsible for the highest WF. The cotton supply chain is economically viable, but it is not environmentally and socially sustainable. The study proposes drip irrigation as it can reduce the initial water footprint of crop production by 49.66%. Accounting for WF and water scarcity level identifies possible areas for reducing water consumption. Policymakers, cotton farmers, and other stakeholders can use the findings to establish long-term water management policies for the cotton supply chain. The novelty of this study rests in a comprehensive analysis of the entire cotton supply chain, from crop to finished fabric. The water footprint of cotton products serves as a new indicator of the cotton supply chain’s sustainability. The study also examined drip irrigation as a sustainable response strategy to reduce water consumption.