17 May 2023, Mumbai
Better Cotton, one of the world's leading cotton sustainability initiatives, has taken a significant step forward by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tajikistan, making it the first Central Asian country to join forces and promote the production of sustainable cotton.
Momentous
The MoU was formalized during the Tajikistan Investment and Development Forum held in London, aiming to bolster sustainable cotton production in Tajikistan while prioritizing environmental and social outcomes as well as overall agricultural sustainability.
Both Better Cotton and Tajikistan will collaborate on developing a strategic roadmap for sustainable cotton production in the country, aligning with the Better Cotton Standard System and global market requirements.
This partnership marks an important milestone, as Tajikistan becomes the inaugural Central Asian nation to engage with the Better Cotton Initiative.
With 1,057 licensed farmers already on board and producing 14,000 tons of better cotton across 14,000 hectares of land, Tajikistan's cotton farming sector is primed for further growth and support.
Nuts & bolts
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Better Cotton has also provided input to the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (Green Guides).
The FTC, a bipartisan federal agency dedicated to consumer protection, established the Green Guides in 1992 to ensure that companies' claims about product sustainability are accurate and backed by evidence.
Periodically updated to align with contemporary standards, the Green Guides offer comprehensive guidelines for environmental marketing claims, including methods for substantiating claims and ways to prevent consumer deception.
Better Cotton Initiative's Input to FTC Guidelines
Better Cotton actively participated in the ongoing review process, striving to ensure that the FTC's guidelines acknowledge the agricultural aspect of cotton production and recognize progress at the field level.
The organization's Claims Framework, a key component of the Better Cotton Standard System (BCSS), assists eligible members in transparently and credibly communicating their commitment to Better Cotton.
Recos
While supporting the FTC's initiative to establish a common framework for credible and accurate sustainability communication by US companies, Better Cotton recommends enhancing the existing guidance.
Rather than mandating a single standardized methodology, such as lifecycle analysis (LCA) or product environmental footprints (PEF), for substantiating claims, Better Cotton suggests including examples of substantiation using various methods.
It argues that no one-size-fits-all methodology can adequately cover all relevant impact categories for every product type.
Navigating Environmental Claims
Furthermore, implementing a single methodology like LCA poses challenges when applied to an agricultural context. If the revised Guides adopt this approach, it would hinder trusted sustainability schemes and their labels from providing environmental marketing claims for their members.
Better Cotton advocates for flexibility in substantiation methods to accommodate diverse products and impact categories, ensuring a fair competitive environment for businesses while empowering them to communicate ambitious sustainability goals to an increasingly eco-conscious consumer base.
Better Cotton Initiative (BCI): SDGs are central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
BCI benchmarks Greek certification as equivalent to its own standards; Through the Better Cotton Standard System, the sector aims to embed social, environmental, and economic sustainability into cotton production around the globe.
Better Cotton embraces the SDGs holistically and is inspired to be part of a global community working to make the world a better place.
Vision:
Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) aspires to achieve global sustainability in cotton production, ensuring that all cotton is cultivated using sustainable practices.
Mission
BCI's mission is to enhance worldwide cotton production for the benefit of farmers, the environment, and the industry's future.
BCI fosters collaboration among stakeholders across the cotton supply chain, driving measurable and ongoing improvements in environmental impact, the well-being of farming communities, and the economic growth of cotton-producing regions.
Insights
Recognizing the interconnected nature of the cotton industry and its stakeholders, BCI emphasizes cooperation and shared responsibility.
By instigating positive and lasting changes, BCI addresses environmental and social challenges associated with cotton production.
Technical Analysis
BCI employs sustainable practices encompassing pesticide reduction, water conservation, biodiversity protection, and improved livelihoods for cotton farmers. Through its comprehensive framework, BCI facilitates the adoption of these practices and encourages continuous improvement.
This approach aligns with BCI's mission to transform the cotton industry into a more sustainable and equitable sector.
Scope of BCI
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has recently conducted a comprehensive study in India, in collaboration with Wageningen University and Research from 2019 to 2022, to assess the impact of their program on cotton farming.
The study, titled 'Towards more sustainable cotton farming in India,' highlights the remarkable benefits experienced by Better Cotton farmers in the region.
By implementing BCI's recommended agricultural practices, these farmers have achieved notable improvements in profitability, reduced reliance on synthetic inputs, and overall sustainability in their farming methods.
Construct
The findings of the study provide compelling evidence of the positive outcomes resulting from the adoption of Better Cotton's sustainable practices.
Notably, the implementation of these practices has led to enhanced financial viability for cotton farmers, contributing to their long-term economic stability.
By embracing environmentally friendly techniques, farmers have been able to decrease their dependence on synthetic inputs, thereby minimizing their environmental impact and promoting ecological balance.
Helicopter view
Furthermore, the study emphasizes the holistic approach of the Better Cotton program, which prioritizes not only economic gains but also ecological preservation and social well-being.
By following the recommended practices, Better Cotton farmers actively contribute to the preservation of natural resources, the reduction of negative impacts on ecosystems, and the promotion of biodiversity.
The research conducted by Wageningen University and Research serves as a significant milestone in validating the effectiveness and value of the Better Cotton program in India.
Providing valuable insights
It offers valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and the agricultural community, providing a roadmap for promoting sustainable farming practices and ensuring the long-term resilience of the cotton industry.
The study's findings not only highlight the benefits for Better Cotton farmers but also underscore the potential for broader adoption of sustainable practices within the cotton industry.
By embracing the principles and guidelines set by Better Cotton, the entire sector can strive towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to cotton farming, benefiting farmers, consumers, and the planet.
Sustainable Synergy
As the Better Cotton program continues to grow and make an impact, studies like these serve as a reminder of the transformative power of sustainable farming practices.
By supporting and empowering farmers to adopt sustainable approaches, initiatives such as Better Cotton play a crucial role in reshaping the cotton industry and paving the way for a greener and socially responsible future.
Better Cotton, the largest cotton sustainability initiative in the world, has updated its Principles & Criteria (P&C) to ensure continuous improvement and sustainability impact at the field-level.
The P&C establishes the requirements farmers must comply with to obtain a license and sell their cotton as “Better Cotton.” More than two million farmers worldwide hold a license under this initiative.
