What problem or need did the project address?
Cotton is one of the few crops that can grow in the semi-arid Kutch region in Western India. For farmers in Kutch, their cotton crop is often the only source of income for food, shelter, medicines, and education. However farmers were struggling because of increasing costs coupled with lower yields and declining prices.
The project tackled a number of problems: market failure and loss of incomes (economic); soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, water pollution, and chemical pesticide problems (environmental); and health problems and migration (social).
What did the project do?
More from the Cotton Fields was designed to increase the number of crops farmers produce in rotation to cotton. These rotational crops include sesame, castor and gram. Widening the crop base improves the fertility and productivity of the land, strengthens the yield of cotton, and ensures a year-round income to farmers.
The project worked on all aspects of activity from field to shop: improving farmers’ production, stimulating consumer demand and working with buyers. Only in this way can farmers incomes be increased and sustained.
More from the Cotton Fields has ensured: economic sustainability through year round utilisation of land and improved access to markets; environmental sustainability through organic production of cotton and rotational crops; and social sustainability through improved business performance, increased employment and better health.
What impact has the project had?
The project has now been completed and has had very positive results. The final evalution has shown that cotton farmers have seen economic, environmental and social benefits.
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Farmer incomes have increased by at least 15%
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Farmers have saved costs through improved farming practices and through converting to organic practices which do not need expensive pesticides - 98% experienced less financial hardship.
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Farmers have reduced their debt - 90% reduced their indebtedness.
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Farmers are growing rotational crops and are less dependent on cotton - farmers have been able to make an income despite the failure of some crops – something they have been unable to do in the past.
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The health of farmers and their families has improved through the reduced use of chemicals - 100% attributed reduced incidences of illness in their families to the adoption of organic cultivation.
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Communities have seen a reduction in migration to urban centres - 58% saw a reduction in urban migration.
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Sales have continued to increase providing increased income and more sustainable livelihoods for farmers. Sales of cotton have increased from about £100,000 to well over a million pounds.
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Fairtrade standards for cotton have been established and Agrocel has received the Fairtrade mark for its organic cotton. This has enabled farmers to access new mainstream buyers such as Marks & Spencer.
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The project initially started working with 125 cotton farmers, but there are now well over 2000 farmers organic and Fairtrade certified farmers.
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The environment is much improved as a result of the sustainable and organic farming practices. Farmers are benefiting from improved access to fresh water and improved soil fertility.
2009 farmers have now joined the project and work has started to enrol another 400 farmers.
Our local partner
Traidcraft Exchange implemented this project with Agrocel. Agrocel has 19 centres across India that are supporting 20,000 farmers in sustainable organic farming and fair trade practices.
How is this project funded?
The project was funded by the Shell Foundation, Agrocel, grant-making trusts, and donations from generous individuals.
