Cotton uses 25% of the world’s insecticides and 10% of pesticides despite taking up only 2.5% of the world’s cultivated land. For this reason it is commonly known as ‘dirty cotton’.

These agro chemicals, used in non-organic farming initially increase a farmer’s yield. Yet, over time they cause the soil to degenerate and adversely affect the surrounding environment. The chemicals create a crust like top soil preventing water absorption. For farms dependent on sporadic rain fall this can cause a crop to fail.

Many farmers are unaware of the dangers and precautions needed when dealing with these harmful chemicals. Infected water supplies and direct exposure have been linked with severe skin and digestion problems and fatal diseases, including cancer. The children of farmers are particularly at risk. 20,000 deaths a year are caused by pesticide poisoning in developing countries.

Pesticides are expensive too. Marketed on the promise of increasing a harvest, farmers borrow money at high rates. Pesticides can account for up to 50% of the production cost of growing cotton. Powerless to get a fair price for their crop, few farmers receive enough money to cover these expenses but borrow yet more money for the following season, spiralling into endless debt.

Luckily there is a growing consumer demand for organic cotton. Conscious of the need to protect our environment and farmers, people want to support alternatives to pesticides. Organic products are also cleaner in themselves. Grown without chemicals, organic products are better against your skin, especially for babies and those with allergies.

Cotton also produces two other products, both of which are actually eaten. Cotton oil, made from the cottonseed is commonly used in manufactured baking such as cookies and cakes. Cottonseed meal is used as cattle feed- again an indirect way of consuming these chemicals.

Ironically, in spite of previous marketing claims, organic farming can produce over 132% more than conventional farming. Unlike agro chemicals which cause soil to degenerate, organic processes actively maintain and replenish the soils nutrients, preserving the natural resilience of a crop. In harsh conditions such as drought, up to 90% of an organic harvest survives, whereas a conventional farmer will suffer huge losses.

To be certified as organic, the cotton has to be grown in accordance with set conditions. These ensure farming have a low impact on the environment, creating sustainable and resilient conditions for long term opportunities.

1. NO chemical pesticides, insecticides or fertilisers can be used
2. NO genetically modified seeds can be used (for example BT cotton seed which has been genetically modified against boll worm)
3. Natural pest controls must be used. These can include introducing beneficial organisms, mechanical traps and bio pesticides
4. To preserve soil fertility, crop rotation must be employed to retain sufficient nutrients