The Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) has joined forces with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for the #BehindTheSeams campaign, which is aimed at boosting organic fiber production.
Running through September, the #BehindTheScenes campaign was designed to urge industry stakeholders to support farmers transitioning to organic cotton by offering insights about the people and practices behind the cultivation of organic textiles. The transition from conventional to organic farming can take up to three years and presents a number of challenges for farmers trying to navigate fluctuating crop conditions and market uncertainty.
The OCA has worked with a number of these farmers to provide resources such as capacity-building assistance, premium payments and market linkages. During the 2023-2024 cotton growing season, OCA worked with more than 35,000 organic-in-conversion farmers in India and Pakistan. The effort was part of a broader program supporting more than 80,000 farmers in the region. The organization also provided an online “Organic Cotton Training Curriculum for Pakistan” course for farmers tailored to the agriculture of the region.
As part of the #BehindTheSeams campaign, the OCA looks to secure more brands willing to buy in-conversion cotton to allow farmers to produce income while they make the transition to organic farming.
“This commitment helps farmers navigate the challenging transition period, resulting in certified crops with significant environmental and economic benefits. OCA enables and facilitates this process, but more brands need to join OCA’s Farm Program to expand support for farmers,” the organization said in a statement.
OCA has worked with GOTS—the worldwide standard for organic cotton—on other initiatives, such as the international ISO IWA 32:3019 proficiency test. The test offers a protocol for global labs to screen for the presence of genetically modified cotton in the organic value chain.
Last year, more than 70,000 farmers benefitted from the OCA’s Farm Program, according to its 2023 annual report. Those farmers represent more than 91,000 hectares of production and a rise in organic cotton procurement to more than 87,000 metric tons. The organization operates programs in Pakistan and Turkey.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle