Library

How to go organic

Description: The Guide ‘How hard is it to go organic?’ – produced by the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles in collaboration with Helvetas, OCA and the C&A Foundation – lays out the case for the use of organic cotton, featuring a ‘Six steps to go organic’ section, along with quotes from leading companies on why organic cotton is important for the fashion industry.
Link: https://www.textilbuendnis.com/publikationen/
File: Download file (16096693 Bytes)
Author: German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles
Year: 2019
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Trade & Markets, Value chain
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Organic Cotton Market Report 2017

Description: The 2017 Organic Cotton Market Report provides the most up-to-date data on organic cotton fiber production. The report includes both a global overview of the sector and trends and deeper dives into each producer region.
Link: http://textileexchange.org/downloads/2017-organic-cotton-market-report/
Author: Textile Exchange
Year: 2017
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Trade & Markets, Farming Aspects, Other
Submitted by: Lisa Emberson

Failed Promises: The rise and fall of GM cotton in India

Description: This Soil Association report reveals how genetically modified (GM) cotton grew to almost obliterate all other cotton production in India, and how the promised GM success rapidly turned to failure, with disastrous, even lethal, results for some of the world’s poorest farmers. The report, launched at the Textile Exchange Sustainability Conference in Washington D.C., reveals how alternative, more sustainable cotton production is now successfully replacing GM.
Link: https://www.soilassociation.org/media/13510/failed-promises-e-version.pdf
File: Download file (782485 Bytes)
Author: Soil Association
Year: 2017
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Trade & Markets, Farming Aspects, Processing, Value chain, Seed Cotton
Submitted by: Sarah Compson

Is cotton conquering its chemical addiction?

Description: Study of Pesticide Action Network UK, with support from the C&A Foundation, to provide current data on global patterns of pesticide use in cotton and documenting the associated problems. The study clearly shows that reductions in pesticide use are possible, but that the adoption of IPM and other agro-ecological practices must be central to these efforts if reductions are to be maintained.
Link: http://www.pan-uk.org/cottons-chemical-addiction/
File: Download file (3843348 Bytes)
Author: Pesticide Action Network PAN UK
Year: 2017
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Summary e-discussion: Fostering the Uptake in the Market

Description: What could help to increase the percentage of sustainable cotton that is sold as such?

The e-discussion, held between september 20 and october 5, explored the whole sphere of issues around the low market uptake of identity cottons. It showed the complexity of the situation but also identified some tools that could help solve this issue, which would likely come in multiple forms.
File: Download file (267346 Bytes)
Author: Andrea Bischof
Year: 2016
Category: Trade & Markets
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Summary e-discussion: What pricing system works for all?

Description: What does a sustainable pricing system and market for organic cotton look like, and how does it ensure that prices provide stability for producers and users of organic cotton, without farmers being paid too little or buyers paying too much?
The discussion tended to be split between those who believe market forces will ultimately dictate organic cotton prices and that attempts to intervene will prove fruitless, and those who think a floor price or any other pricing mechanism for organic cotton is achievable as the apparel industry is willing to acknowledge the true cost of organic cotton production (which incorporates environmental and social costs).
File: Download file (73728 Bytes)
Author: Andrea Bischof
Year: 2016
Category: Trade & Markets, Fair Trade
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Fonds de Lissage (AFD)

Description: The goal of the AFD Fonds de Lissage is to manage the risks associated with short-term highly volatile cotton prices through a matching contribution and withdrawal system. The principle is as follows: free fluctuation of prices within margins set by a trend line price and initiation of an intervention beyond, when prices break the ceiling price as well as fall through the bottom price.
Link: http://www.momagri.org/UK/focus-on-issues/The-Fonds-de-Lissage-for-the-Cotton-Sector-in-Burkina-Faso-A-Pertinent-Initiative-to-Fight-Price-Volatility-_525.html
Author: momagri
Year: 2016
Category: Trade & Markets, Fair Trade
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Cotton and Climate Change

Description: A docuemnt about cotton and climate change in genral. Some notifications on the low ecological footprint of organic cotton and its role in carbon sequestration.
Link: http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Exporters/Sectors/Food_and_agri_business/Cotton/AssetPDF/Cotton%20and%20Climate%20Change%20final%2021%20June%5B1%5D.pdf
File: Download file (2785110 Bytes)
Author: ITC
Year: 2011
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Deconstructing Indian cotton: Weather, Yields, and Suicides

Description: This interesting and detailed research study by a group of internationally reputed scientists, published by the journal Environmental Sciences Europe (2015, 27:12), deconstructs the hype around GM Bt cotton and shows widespread problems with the technology. You can access the report at the link below.
Link: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12302-015-0043-8/fulltext.html
Author: Andrew Gutierrez, Luigi Ponti, Hans Herren, Johann Baumgärtner and Peter Kenmor
Year: 2015
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Lisa Emberson

Summary e-discussion: Land Use Change and Indigenous Rights

Description: The summary of the e-discussion "Organic Standards about Land Use Change and Indigenous Rights" held by members of the platform between 17th February and 24th March 2015.
File: Download file (201448 Bytes)
Author: Lisa Emberson & Andrea Bischof
Year: 2015
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects, Control & Certification, Other
Submitted by: Lisa Emberson

TE\'s Organic Cotton Sustainability Assessment Tool (OC-SAT)

Description: Textile Exchange has released an online tool for the textile industry that measures the environmental, economic and social aspects of organic cotton production. The Organic Cotton Sustainability Assessment Tool (OC-SAT) is the first mechanism in the industry to provide an all-encompassing view of organic cotton’s benefits.

While the tool has been road tested on organic cotton, the assessment framework could be developed for other initiatives in the sector. Click the link below to access the tool and to download the Summary of Key Findings.
Link: http://29244d.campgn4.com/OCSAT-Release
Author: Textile Exchange
Year: 2015
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects, Rotation crops, Seed Cotton
Submitted by: Lisa Emberson

Measuring sustainability in cotton farming systems - ICAC/SEEP Report

Description: The report, “Measuring Sustainability in Cotton Farming Systems,” was produced by ICAC's Expert Panel on Social, Environmental and Economic Performance of Cotton Production (SEEP) in collaboration with FAO and with input from identity cotton programs.

The report provides an overview of sustainability issues in cotton and takes stock of indicators used to measure sustainability. These are then rated to arrive at a set of common indicators that can serve as a basis for discussion within the industry on the development of a framework to further enhance sustainability. As the final report will not be ready in time for the upcoming Plenary, it was decided to present an executive summary to provide an idea of the ongoing work.
File: Download file (1282485 Bytes)
Author: ICAC/ SEEP
Year: 2015
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Lisa Emberson

Life Cycle Assessment of Organic Cotton Fiber (2014)

Description: The study is based on data from producer groups located in the top five countries of organic cotton cultivation; India, China, Turkey, Tanzania and the United States. These countries account for 97% of global organic cotton production.

The LCA investigated the impact of organic cotton cultivation in the categories of climate change/global warming potential, soil erosion and soil acidification, water use and consumption and energy demand.

The LCA study is in conformance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.The critical review panel included three of the leading figures in the field. The panel was chaired by Ing. Paolo Masoni, Research Director at ENEA in Italy. He was joined by Dr. Niels Jungbluth, CEO of ESU-service, Switzerland. and Dr. Christian Schader from the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture in Switzerland (FiBL).
Author: TextileExchange.org
Year: 2014
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Executive Summary: 2013 Organic Cotton Report of Textile Exchange

Description: For the first time, Textile Exchange (TE) has combined two of our key industry reports - the Organic Cotton Farm & Fiber Report and the Organic Cotton Market Report - into one compelling resource for the entire organic cotton suppy chain. The executive summary is free of charge.
Link: https://29244d.campgn4.com/2013-Organic-Cotton-Report-Executive-Summary
Author: TextileExchange.org
Year: 2014
Category: Trade & Markets, Farming Aspects, Value chain
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

TE Material Snapshots - Organic Cotton

Description: This guide is designed for the reader to understand why the choice to use organic cotton makes a difference in the textile, apparel, & footwear industry. That choice could result in positive or negative impacts depending on the material and supply chain details. This guide provides a concise look at the agricultural, social, and processing differences that make material sustainability profiles different. This snapshot also provides information on material properties, certifications, and sourcing information since sustainability is only one of the many reasons why a particular material is chosen.
Link: https://29244d.campgn4.com/Material-Snapshot-Organic-Cotton
Author: Textile Exchange
Year: 2014
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Trade & Markets, Farming Aspects, Other
Submitted by: Ashley Gill

Poster explaning Organic Cotton

Description: This poster explains the Do's and Don'ts of Organic Cotton Production.
File: Download file (1374261 Bytes)
Author: HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation
Year: 2014
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Trade & Markets, Farming Aspects, Control & Certification, Rotation crops
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Summary e-discussion: influencing consumer habits

Description: The summary of the e-discussion about "How to influence consumers' buying habits?" held by members of the platform in 2014, February 24th to March 14th.
File: Download file (240535 Bytes)
Author: Andrea Bischof
Year: 2014
Category: Trade & Markets
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Poster of Campain: Ask for organic when buying t-shirts

Description: Poster of a joint campaign of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperaion with Coop, Switcher, Hess Natur, SECO, Calro, FLO, Fair Wear Foundation, Netzwerk Faire Mode, an others in Switzerland.
File: Download file (294444 Bytes)
Author: HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation
Year: 2009
Category: Trade & Markets, Fair Trade
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Yield and Economic Performance of Organic and Conventional Cotton-based Farming Systems – Results from a Field Trial in India

Description: This study presents agronomic and economic data from the conversion phase (2007-2010) of a farming systems comparison trial on a Vertisol soil in Madhya Pradesh, central India. A cotton-soybean-wheat crop rotation under biodynamic, organic and conventional (with and without Bt cotton) management was investigated. We observed a significant yield gap between organic and conventional farming systems in the 1st crop cycle for cotton (-29%) and wheat (-27%), whereas in the 2nd crop cycle cotton and wheat yields were similar in all farming systems due to lower yields in the conventional systems. In contrast, organic soybean yields were marginally lower than conventional yields. Averaged across all crops, conventional farming systems achieved significantly higher gross margins in cycle 1 (+29%), whereas in cycle 2 gross margins in organic farming systems were significantly higher (+25%).
Link: http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchObject.action?uri=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0081039&representation=PDF
Author: D. Forster, Ch. Andres, R. Verma, Ch. Zundel, M. M. Messmer, P. Mäder
Year: 2013
Category: Farming Aspects, Seed Cotton
Submitted by: Messmer Monika

Textile Exchange 2011-12 Farm & Fiber Report

Description: TE has now released the 2012 Organic Cotton Farm & Fiber Report, which includes the highlights and trends for the 2011-12 season! We explore the reasons behind the biggest growth and the barriers to growth in specific regions, and discuss the reasons why we think they’re occurring.
Link: http://textileexchange.org/press-release/2012-farm-fiber-report
Author: Textile Exchange
Year: 2013
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Trade & Markets, Fair Trade, Farming Aspects, Control & Certification, Seed Cotton
Submitted by: Ashley Gill

Summary eDiscussion: Business Models

Description: The summary of the ediscussion held by members of the platform.
File: Download file (167462 Bytes)
Author: Andrea Bischof
Year: 2013
Category: Trade & Markets
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Summary eDiscussion: Decrease of Organic Cotton Production

Description: A midpoint summary of the ediscussion held by members of the platform.
File: Download file (32735 Bytes)
Author: OC Platform
Year: 2012
Category: Trade & Markets, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Ashley Gill

Summary eDiscussion: GM in Burkina Faso

Description: English, Spanish and French
File: Download file (280901 Bytes)
Author: Community Members
Year: 2012
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Trade & Markets
Submitted by: Ashley Gill

Summary eDiscussion: Economic Benefits of Organic and Sustainable Farming

Description: English, French, Spanish
File: Download file (231255 Bytes)
Author: Community
Year: 2012
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Ashley Gill

Chemical Use in Cotton, various sources

Description: This document was developed by the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative (TOCMC), based in Lubbock, Texas. For more information about TOCMC, visit their website.
Link: http://www.texasorganic.com
File: Download file (72067 Bytes)
Author: Kelly Pepper, TOCMC
Year: 2010
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Ashley Gill

Summary e-discussion: Influence of the high cotton price on organic and fairtrade cotton

Description: Summary of e-discussion about the influence of the high cotton price on organic and fairtrade cotton production.
File: Download file (175784 Bytes)
Author: Ashley Gill, Textile Exchange
Year: 2011
Category: Trade & Markets, Fair Trade
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Down on the farm

Description: In the wake of the recent global media stories on the use of child labour in the cotton sector, Simon Ferrigno asks how far should brands go to get to
know their supply chain?
Author: Ecotextile News
Year: 2012
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Fair Trade, Farming Aspects, Control & Certification
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Summary eDiscussion: non GM seed

Description: This is a summary of the discussion on the availability of non GM cotton seeds, held in November 2011. The document includes English, French, and Spanish translations.
File: Download file (124080 Bytes)
Author: Community of Practice
Year: 2011
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Ashley Gill

Cottonseed Supply for Planting in Africa

Description: A study into the functioning of current structures for research, breeding,

multiplication and distribution and their impacts on cotton farmers
File: Download file (2574765 Bytes)
Author: for Traidcraft Policy Unit, Ferrigno, Nalunga, Bationo
Year: 2011
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

[Video] Value and future prospects for organic cotton production

Description: Barcelona, 18 September 2011. Tobias Bandel from Soil & More, Netherlands, was one of the expert in the third panel of the Cotton Dialogues 2011. The panel discussed the issue of "Supporting sustainable growth". In this video, Tobias reflects on the outcome of the roundtable discussion. According to Tobias, organic is not a religion or just wishful thinking but it's actually the only logic way to produce food and cotton. Organic as of today is not yet fully sustainable but in a few years organic production will be cheaper than conventional production. This will shift organic from a niche market to mainstream. See more at https://organiccotton.org
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU3ru6grePQ&list=PLILQh-N0vkGy3JmpmKblVZLOS7FQZ-BgI&index=1
Author: Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic Services Ltd.
Year: 2011
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Trade & Markets, Value chain
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

[Video] Supporting sustainable growth through collaboration in the organic cotton value chain

Description: Barcelona, 18 September 2011. Jane Nalung from NOGAMU, Uganda was one of the expert in the third panel of the Cotton Dialogues 2011. The panel discussed the issue of "Supporting sustainable growth". According to Jane, her main learning point from the session is that supporting sustainable growth can be best achieved through collaboration and coordination amongst all actors involved in the organic cotton value chain.













Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBzdYfGO7jw&list=PLILQh-N0vkGy3JmpmKblVZLOS7FQZ-BgI&index=2
Author: Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic Services Ltd.
Year: 2011
Category: Value chain
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

[Video] Building a new programme for production and distribution of non-GM cotton seeds

Description: Barcelona, 18 September 2011. Ben Ramsden, from Pants to Poverty, UK. was one of the expert in the first panel of the Cotton Dialogues 2011. The panel discussed the issue of "Shaping the future of non-GM seed supply". According to Ben, the discussion was "fantastic" as it brought together farmers, seeds producers, academics, textile manufacturers and brands. Amongst the participants, a shared understanding of the problems that related to non-GM seeds emerged. More important, according to Ben, it is the need to build capacity for production, distribution and security of cotton seeds. Further, the different actors involved need to campaign collectively all along the value chain to engage consumers, retailers and brands in viable solutions where non-Gm and GM can coexist so to preserve biodiversity on the planet.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDYm5FIi-no&list=PLILQh-N0vkGy3JmpmKblVZLOS7FQZ-BgI&index=3
Author: Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic Services Ltd.
Year: 2011
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

[Video] Developing guidelines for responsible business practice and trade

Description: Barcelona, 18 September 2011. Keith Tyrell from Pesticides Action Network (PAN), UK, moderated the second panel of the Cotton Dialogues 2011, focusing on responsible business practice and trade in the organic cotton sector. In this video, he shares his main takeaway messages from the session.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMRCY5EXpzE&list=PLILQh-N0vkGy3JmpmKblVZLOS7FQZ-BgI&index=4
Author: Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic Services Ltd.
Year: 2011
Category: Trade & Markets, Fair Trade, Control & Certification
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

[Video] De-commoditization of organic and fair trade cotton

Description: Barcelona, 18 September 2011. Thomas Favennec, Tudo Bom?, Brazil, participated as expert in the second panel at the Cotton Dialogues 2011. In this video, Thomas shares his takeaways from the session. According to Thomas, there is a need to work on de-commoditization of organic and fair trade cotton, by making more direct links between farmer organisations and brands.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyo6zusawX8&list=PLILQh-N0vkGy3JmpmKblVZLOS7FQZ-BgI&index=5
Author: Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic Services Ltd.
Year: 2011
Category: Trade & Markets, Control & Certification
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

[Video] Introducing the Cotton Dialogues 2011

Description: Barcelona, 18 September 2011. Liesl Truscott, Director of Farm Engagement at Textile Exchange introduces the face-to-face meeting of the Organic Cotton Community. The discussion in the event will address 3 main topics: Shaping the future of non-GM seed supply; Developing guidelines for responsible business practice and trade; Supporting sustainable growth. These themes were chosen by members of the Global Organic Community in a democratic way. Liesl is very excited about the openness of this process and very much looking forward to the discussions of the day.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y1D1z9ebDM&list=PLILQh-N0vkGy3JmpmKblVZLOS7FQZ-BgI&index=6
Author: Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic Services Ltd.
Year: 2011
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Trade & Markets, Fair Trade, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

[Video] Building long term relationships between brands and cotton producers

Description: Barcelona, 18 September 2011. Damien Sanfilippo, Fairtrade International, Germany, participated as expert in the second panel at the Cotton Dialogues 2011. In this video, Damien underlines two of the issues discussed in the session: the need of a sustainable and transparent price for cotton; the need of strong, long term relationships between brands and cotton producers.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPnhPHRWvU8&list=PLILQh-N0vkGy3JmpmKblVZLOS7FQZ-BgI&index=7
Author: Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic Services Ltd.
Year: 2011
Category: Trade & Markets, Fair Trade, Control & Certification
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

[Video] Shaping the future of non-GM seed supply

Description: Barcelona, 18 September 2011. Prabha Nagarajan, Textile Exchange, India, moderated the first panel of the Cotton Dialogues 2011, focusing on the issue of \"Shaping the future of non-GM seed supply\". In her views, the session highlighted how the non availability of non-GM cotton seeds represents a real crisis situation. This crisis has many aspects as it affects biodiversity, seeds sovereignty and choice of farmers, and ultimately the consumers as well. Therefore according to Prabha there is a need for a concrete, global, action plan that addresses these issues.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRqw_3-HyI4&list=PLILQh-N0vkGy3JmpmKblVZLOS7FQZ-BgI&index=8
Author: Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic Services Ltd.
Year: 2011
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

[Video] Ensuring future supplies of organic cotton seeds

Description: Barcelona, 18 September 2011. Jane Dever from Texas AgriLife Research, USA, was one of the expert in the first panel of the Cotton Dialogues 2011. The panel discussed the issue of "Shaping the future of non-GM seed supply". The session provided a great opportunity to discuss the issues related to seeds and traditional organic cotton varieties.







Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNNkad8mz18&list=PLILQh-N0vkGy3JmpmKblVZLOS7FQZ-BgI&index=9
Author: Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic Services Ltd.
Year: 2011
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

[Video] How and why to train cotton farmers to breed their own seeds

Description: Barcelona, 18 September 2011. Dr Shreekant S Patil (University of Agriculture Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, IndiaBen Ramsden) is a cotton breeder and was one of the expert in the first panel of the Cotton Dialogues 2011. The panel discussed the issue of "Shaping the future of non-GM seed supply". According to Dr. Pail, the biggest challenge today across the world, and in India specifically, it is that organic cotton growers can't find enough, high quality non-GM cotton seeds for their productions. Dr. Pail suggests that farmers need to be educated and trained so they become self sufficient and can produce the desired quantity of the chosen variety of organic cotton. This could be done also for hybrid seeds, and there are concrete and simple ways to make this happen. This way, while making farmers self sufficient for the supply of cotton seeds, they would become also more conscious and responsible of their farming practices
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVIy7tCoCfU&list=PLILQh-N0vkGy3JmpmKblVZLOS7FQZ-BgI&index=10
Author: Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic Services Ltd.
Year: 2011
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

[Video] Increasing support for non-GM seeds

Description: Barcelona, 18 September 2011. Rajeev Baruah from bioRe, India was one of the expert in the first panel of the Cotton Dialogues 2011. The panel discussed the issue of "Shaping the future of non-GM seed supply". In his views, there is a strong, increasing support on the issue and it is now important to see how to bring this forward. According to Rajeev it is important to undertake global actions where non GM and hybrid seeds are made available to farmers at lower prices. Consumers need also to be involved in this actions and awareness needs to be created in the general public, addressing issues of sustainability, biodiversity and conservation.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG96aqH2-CE&list=PLILQh-N0vkGy3JmpmKblVZLOS7FQZ-BgI&index=11
Author: Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic Services Ltd.
Year: 2011
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Disappearing non-GM cotton – ways forward to maintain diversity, increase availability and ensure quality of non-GM cotton seed

Description: On 21 June 2011, the National Workshop on ‘Disappearing non-GM cotton – ways forward to maintain diversity, increase availability and ensure quality of non-GM cotton seed’ was hold at the University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad (UAS Dharwad), Dharwad, Karnataka, India. The proceeding provides an overview on the presentations and presents the main workshop output the ‘Dharwad Declaration 21st June 2011’.
Link: http://www.fibl.org/fileadmin/documents/en/news/2011/ProceedingNationalWorkshop_DisappearingNon-GMCotton.pdf
Author: D. Forster, M. Messmer, R. Baruah, S.S. Patil
Year: 2011
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Dionys Forster

World Environment Day, Special Edition of Engage, Farmer Bulletin

Description: On World Environment Day and the first anniversary of Engage, Textile Exchange celebrates the remarkable contribution organic cotton agriculture is making to the grower communities and ecology of our world. There are also a small number of snapshots of some of the people, organisations and companies behind the progress.
File: Download file (2040456 Bytes)
Author: Textile Exchange, Farm Engagement Program
Year: 2011
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Trade & Markets, Farming Aspects, Value chain, Other
Submitted by: Ashley Gill

Enabling Growth and Raising Producers Incomes in Tanzania's Cotton Sub-Sector

Description: Experiences and lessons learnt by RLDP in the promotion of the cotton sub-sector in the Central Corridor of Tanzania. Perspectives on how the “Making Markets Work for the Poor” (M4P) approach can be applied to improve the livelihoods of cotton producers.
Link: http://www.rldc.co.tz/docs/EGRP.pdf
Author: Alain Cuvelier, Maja Rueegg, Ajuaye Sigalla
Year: 2011
Category: Trade & Markets, Value chain
Submitted by: Maja Rueegg

Summary e-discussion: Influence of High Prices on Fairtrade / Organic

Description: Summary of the e-discussion held March 10 to April 7 on the Influence of High Cotton Prices on Fairtrade/Organic. The summary includes English, Spanish and French versions.
File: Download file (248580 Bytes)
Author: Simon Ferrrigno
Year: 2011
Category: Trade & Markets, Fair Trade
Submitted by: Ashley Gill

ICAC report on cotton initiatives

Description: DESCRIPTIONS OF PRODUCTION PROGRAMS: ORGANIC, FAIR TRADE, COTTON MADE IN AFRICA, AND THE BETTER COTTON INITIATIVE
File: Download file (2042840 Bytes)
Author: ICAC
Year: 2011
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Lena Staafgard

Sustainable Cotton - Assuring a renewable resource A Cotton Outlook Special Feature

Description: Special feature. Sustainable cotton. Assuring a renewable resource.
Link: http://www.cotlook.com/index.php?action=content&content_id=69
Author: Cotlook
Year: 2008
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Trade & Markets, Fair Trade, Control & Certification
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Worms eat into GM crop myth - Insects expected to drop dead thrive on cotton plants

Description: Insects expected to drop dead after feeding on genetically modified cotton plants have instead been found for the first time in India to be thriving and even successfully breeding on the plants.
Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101212/jsp/frontpage/story_13290179.jsp#
File: Download file (25659 Bytes)
Author: Telegraphindia
Year: 2010
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

GOTS positive list

Description: This platform aims to improve access to and availability of GOTS-compliant chemical products for organic textile manufacturers.
The system includes more than 1000 dyestuff- and pigment preparations and over 1500 textile auxiliaries from many different suppliers.
All products have been approved by the Institute for Marketecology (IMO) according to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Link: http://www.gots-positivelist.imo.ch/
Author: IMO
Year: 2010
Category: Control & Certification
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Summary e-dicussion: "Access to finance for organic cotton projects"

Description: Summary of the e-discussion about "access to finance for organic cotton projects" (20th September - 17th October 2010) in English and French (no Spanish translation so far).
File: Download file (31876 Bytes)
Author: Andrea Bischof
Year: 2010
Category: Other
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

RITE: new document about the GM textile debate

Description: Issues surrounding the use of genetically modified (GM) technology within the clothing and textile industries have been outlined in a new document released by the UK not-for-profit organisation the RITE Group.



The timely document comes after several leading European retailers were caught out earlier this year when it was discovered that the certified organic cotton garments they were selling in-store were actually made from GM cotton fibre.
Link: http://www.ritegroup.org/pdf/RITE%20booklet_lowres.pdf
Author: RITE, MCL global
Year: 2010
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Sheanut - Food crops grown by organic cotton farmers in West Africa

Description: This factsheet introduces sheanuts. The nuts available for organic cotton farmers and are suitable to achieve an additional income for them.
Link: http://www.pan-germany.org/deu/projekte/cotton_connection/aktuell/publikationen.html
File: Download file (298871 Bytes)
Author: PAN Germany & PAN UK
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Rotation crops
Submitted by: Alexandra Perschau

Cashew - Food crops grown by organic cotton farmers in West Africa

Description: This factsheet introduces cashew nuts as food crops available in organic cotton farming systems in West Africa.
Link: http://www.pan-germany.org/deu/projekte/cotton_connection/aktuell/publikationen.html
File: Download file (316858 Bytes)
Author: PAN Germany & PAN UK
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Rotation crops
Submitted by: Alexandra Perschau

Sesame - Food crops grown by organic cotton farmers in West Africa

Description: This factsheet introduces sesame as food crop grown in organic cotton farming systems in West Africa.
Link: http://www.pan-germany.org/deu/projekte/cotton_connection/aktuell/publikationen.html
File: Download file (486934 Bytes)
Author: PAN Germany & PAN UK
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Rotation crops
Submitted by: Alexandra Perschau

Bissap - Food crops grown by organic cotton farmers in West Africa

Description: This factsheet introduces bissap - better known ouside Senegal as hibiscus - as food crop grown in organic cotton farming systems in West Africa.
Link: http://www.pan-germany.org/deu/projekte/cotton_connection/aktuell/publikationen.html
File: Download file (298827 Bytes)
Author: PAN Germany & PAN UK
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Rotation crops
Submitted by: Alexandra Perschau

Fonio - Food crops grown by organic cotton farmers in West Africa

Description: This factsheet introduces fonio, a low in gluten cereal, as an example of food crops grown in organic cotton farming systems in West Africa
Link: http://www.pan-germany.org/deu/projekte/cotton_connection/aktuell/publikationen.html
File: Download file (365971 Bytes)
Author: PAN Germany & PAN UK
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Rotation crops
Submitted by: Alexandra Perschau

Organic cotton systems reduce poverty and food insecurity for African farm families

Description: This briefing explores som of the livelihood and income generating issues for African organic cotton farmers and the different opportunities to improve their family income and welfare by gathering better market reward for food crops grown as part of the organic cotton rotation.
Link: http://www.pan-germany.org/deu/projekte/cotton_connection/aktuell/publikationen.html
File: Download file (1163210 Bytes)
Author: PAN Germany & PAN UK
Year: 2010
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Rotation crops
Submitted by: Alexandra Perschau

Hibiscus, cashew and cotton - what's the common thread?

Description: This leaflet introduces the potential of rotation crops to contribute to the economic well-being of organic cotton farmers.
Link: http://www.pan-germany.org/deu/projekte/cotton_connection/aktuell/publikationen.html
File: Download file (513306 Bytes)
Author: PAN Germany & PAN UK
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Rotation crops
Submitted by: Alexandra Perschau

Do's and Don'ts of co-existence of organic and GMO cotton in India

Description: (June 2010) In recent months, a group of specialists in the cotton industry have studied ways of delivering pragmatic and transparent processes and recommendations which will help to further strengthen efforts for the prevention of contamination of organic cotton in countries where the cultivation of GMO cotton is common.




Specialists from organic cotton projects, certification bodies, academics and supply chain managers have elaborated a guidance document which explains the Do\'s and Don\'ts for maintaining high standards for non-contamination, via simple protocols from seed to bale, in line with International organic farming regulations.




The content provided in this document will remain the intellectual property of C&A which has sponsored the study. However, it has been decided to publish the results in the public domain, allowing more general use and reference for the benefit of the wider organic cotton community, and in order to further strengthen the integrity of organic cotton.




File: Download file (245953 Bytes)
Author: C&A, Helvetas, Organic Exchange, Cotton Connect
Year: 2010
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects, Control & Certification
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Picking GE Cotton: the video

Description: Picking GE Cotton: a pricy move for Indian cotton farmers.
The choice between organic and genetically-engineered cotton for farmers in South India. Greenpeace documents the experiences of farmers in Andhra Pradesh, one of the biggest cotton growing states in India.
Link: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/makingwaves/picking-ge-cotton-a-pricy-move-for-indian-cot/
Author: Greenpeace
Year: 2010
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Picking cotton: The choice between organic and genetically-engineered cotton for farmers in South India

Description: Greenpeace report which says that farming organic cotton in India is more profitable than growing genetically engineered varieties of cotton because of the higher input costs of GM and a greater potential for debt accumulation.
Link: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/publications
File: Download file (1536286 Bytes)
Author: Greenpeace
Year: 2010
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects, Other
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Organic cotton training manual

Description: The training manual contains a collection of slides, a brief summary of the key learnings to be conveyed for each topic, and recommendations for an interactive approach to cover the topic in a training program. Slides are available as ppt-files from [email protected] (for free).
File: Download file (7797804 Bytes)
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2003
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Seed security among organic cotton farmers in South India

Description: MSc thesis at Hohenheim University, Stuttgart, Germany on how seed security can be achieved for organic cotton projects in two states of India: Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
File: Download file (2150038 Bytes)
Author: Noémi Nemes
Year: 2010
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Noemi Nemes

Summary e-dicussion: "Sourcing options for small brands & young designers"

Description: Summary of the e-discussion about "Sourcing options for small brands & young designers" (29th March - 23rd April 2010) in English, French and Spanish.
File: Download file (32911 Bytes)
Author: Andrea Bischof, Organic & Fairtrade Competence Center
Year: 2010
Category: Trade & Markets
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Summary e-dicussion: "Ensuring organic cotton integrity"

Description: Summary of the e-discussion about "ensuring integrity in the organic cotton value chain" (7th February - 16th March 2010) in French and English.
File: Download file (28588 Bytes)
Author: Andrea Bischof, Organic & Fairtrade Competence Center
Year: 2010
Category: Value chain
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Summary e-discussion: "water consumption in organic cotton production"

Description: Summary of the e-discussion about "water consumption in organic cotton production" (17th August - 16th October 2009) in French and English.
File: Download file (113118 Bytes)
Author: Andrea Bischof, Organic & Fairtrade Competence Center
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

2009 Organic Exchange Farm & Fiber Report

Description: This annual Organic Exchange report provides:
- The Global context of cotton production and challenges
- Organic cotton production and fiber markets 2008/09
- Overview of area and average yields with review of pricing
- Regional profiles of organic cotton: India, Africa & Latin America
- Changes in the market caused by growth and impacts
- Clear and concrete steps that farmers, companies and other organizations can take to support the sustainable expansion of the global organic cotton supply
- Estimates of future organic production trends

Provided is the Executive Summary, the full report can be purchased at the provided link; OE Members recieve this full report as a membership benefit.
Link: http://organicexchange.org/oecms/Organic-Exchange-Publications.html
File: Download file (1150471 Bytes)
Author: Organic Exchange
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects, Rotation crops
Submitted by: Daren Abney

The Organic Business Guide

Description: The guide provides practical know-how and essential information for planning, managing and expanding organic businesses with groups of smallholders. Covering topics from designing production and internal control systems to business planning and marketing, it is a comprehensive reference book for organic entrepreneurs, cooperatives and facilitators. It draws on a wide range of practical examples and provides links to useful resources available on the internet. An interactive version is available at www.wikibooks.org
Link: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Organic_Business_Guide
File: Download file (5700725 Bytes)
Author: Frank Eyhorn, Bo van Elzakker
Year: 2010
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Trade & Markets, Fair Trade, Farming Aspects, Control & Certification, Processing, Rotation crops, Value chain
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Integrity in the Indian Organic Cotton Value Chain Report

Description: A Summary of Issues and Gaps for Potential Action.
File: Download file (84133 Bytes)
Author: ICCO, Organic Exchange and Solidaridad
Year: 2010
Category: Value chain
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

GOTS

Description: GOTS standard: organic fiber content as well as social and environmental requirements for final products.
Link: http://www.global-standard.org
Author: International Association Natural Textile Industry e.V.
Year: 2009
Category: Control & Certification
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

OE Essential Guide to Certification

Description: explaining to brands and retailers what to look for and demand to ensure the organic integrity of their products (note that a separate one is being developed for supply chain members)
Link: http://www.organicexchange.org/oecms/index.php?option=com_content&view=ar
Author: Organic Exchange
Year: 2008
Category: Control & Certification
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

OE standards

Description: OE standards: ensuring organic fiber content in final products.
Link: http://www.organicexchange.org/oecms/index.php?option=com_content&view=ar
Author: Organic Exchange
Year: 2009
Category: Control & Certification
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Overview of relevant irrigation resources available on the Internet

Description: A selection of relevant irrigation resources available on the Internet.
Author: Jens Soth, Organic & Fairtrade Competence Center
Year: 2009
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Summary of e-discussion: "Seed availability"

Description: This is the summary of the e-discussion about "seed availability for organic cotton production" (10th November - 1st December 2009) in French and English.
File: Download file (28415 Bytes)
Author: Andrea Bischof, Organic & Fairtrade Competence Center
Year: 2009
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Bt Cotton and Farmer Suicides in India

Description: Discussion paper about suicides of Indian farmers. A case study on the potential link between technological choices and farmer suicides in India.


Although officially recognized for having increased production and farmers’ income, Bt cotton,


genetically-modified, insect-resistant cotton, remains highly controversial in India.
File: Download file (501124 Bytes)
Author: IFPRI Guillaume P. Gruère, Purvi Mehta-Bhatt, Debdatta Sengupta
Year: 2008
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Farmers as seed breeders and custodians

Description: In this article an Indian organic farmer and seed breeder argues that it is crucial for farmers to retain control over seeds, particularly in light of the increasing corporate grip on seeds, so as to restore agricultural biodiversity.
File: Download file (1167284 Bytes)
Author: Third World Resurgence no. 230
Year: 2009
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Organic Cotton Project Guide

Description: The aim of this guide is to support organizers of organic cotton projects in designing and setting up organic cotton production with smallholders, or in re-thinking existing projects. Recognizing that there are many possible ways and approaches in doing this, the guide wants to stimulate reflection and provide ideas rather than giving final answers and prescriptions. The guide does not deal with the processing of the cotton fibre and the trade of cotton products.
File: Download file (1793302 Bytes)
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2005
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Fair Trade, Farming Aspects, Control & Certification, Rotation crops
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Sustainable cotton on the shelves

Description: The handbook ”Sustainable cotton on the shelves” is a hands-on manual that is meant to help mainstream retailers to decide on, to source and to market sustainable cotton.
Through concrete questions and straightforward answers, the handbook provides an overview of issues and trends in the production and marketing of sustainable cotton. The handbook ”Sustainable cotton on the shelves” is the outcome of a project run in the Netherlands by the retailers HEMA and de Bijenkorf, the Dutch association for large textile retailers (VGT), the NGOs Oxfam Novib and WWF, and the consultancy CREM.

Link: http://www.crem.nl/main.php?page=266
Author: Pascale Guillou, CREM
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Trade & Markets, Fair Trade, Farming Aspects, Control & Certification, Value chain
Submitted by: Guillou pascale

Monsanto's Bt Cotton Kills the Soil as Well as Farmers

Description: A recent scientific study carried out by Navdanya, compared the soil of fields where Bt-cotton had been planted for 3 years with adjoining fields with non GMO cotton or other crops. The region covered included Nagpur, Amravati and Wardha of Vidharbha which accounts for highest GMO cotton planting in India, and the highest rate of farmers suicides (4000 per year).
Link: http://www.i-sis.org.uk/BtCottonKillsSoilandFarmers.php
Author: Navdanya
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Irrigation and soil conservation innovations

Description: In this catalogue 17 innovations for improving irrigation technologies in Kyrgyzstan are presented.
The ideas for the technologies come from farmers and specialists from Kyrgyzstan, and from other
countries.
This document gives an overview, what possibilities farmers have to improve irrigation practices, with
the objective to use natural resources more sustainable and at the same time to increase economical
profit.
File: Download file (3635045 Bytes)
Author: Lydia Pluess, Christoph Studer, Roza Bekboeva, Talant Kadyraliev,
Year: 2004
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects, Rotation crops
Submitted by: Jens Soth

Impact organic cotton Burkina Faso

Description: Summary of an impact study conducted by the University of Berne on the organic and fairtrade cotton project supported by Helvetas in Burkina Faso.
File: Download file (613435 Bytes)
Author: Helvetas / CDE
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Irrigation/riego - Oro Blanco, Peru

Description: Chincha - Peru (empresa Oro Blanco) costa centro sur peruana
File: Download file (1728896 Bytes)
Author: Organic Exchange, Alfonso Lizzaraga
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

The Water Footprint of Organic Cotton Consumption

Description: The aim of this report is to assess the ‘water footprint’ of worldwide cotton consumption, entifying both the location and the character of the impacts.
File: Download file (1672055 Bytes)
Author: UNESCO-IHE, Institute for Water Education
Year: 2005
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Harvest estimates in organic cotton production

Description: Procedure to estimate yields and harvests in organic cotton production for traceability and forecasting total production; based on the discussion in the Global Organic Cotton Community
File: Download file (38912 Bytes)
Author: Frank Eyhorn, OFTCC
Year: 2009
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Summary e-discussion: "harvest estimates"

Description: Summary of the CoP discussion on harvest estimates in cotton, July-August 2009
File: Download file (11456 Bytes)
Author: Frank Eyhorn, OFTCC
Year: 2009
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Product description sheet template

Description: Template to develop a product description sheet that can be used to inform buyers about an organic product (e.g. cotton) on offer in an attractive way. The template contains the essential parameters a potential client needs to know.
File: Download file (49152 Bytes)
Author: Frank Eyhorn, OFTCC
Year: 2009
Category: Trade & Markets
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Summary e-dicussion: "How to achieve that supply of organic cotton will match demand?"

Description: This is the summary of the online discussion within the Global Organic Cotton Community about „How can we achieve that supply of organic cotton will match demand in this season 2009/10, and also in future?” The discussion took place from 22 June – 17th July 2009.
File: Download file (34466 Bytes)
Author: Andrea Bischof, Organic & Fairtrade Competence Center
Year: 2009
Category: Trade & Markets
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Farm System Crops Baseline Report

Description: A review of crops grown in rotation or as
part of the organic cotton farm system
Author: Organic Exchange
Year: 2009
Category: Rotation crops
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Organic Cotton in the Commodity Policy

Description: The material flow perspective of organic cotton brings a lot of opportunities for companies to
substantiate their credibility. Thus a clear target setting for the organic cotton material flow
could bring in quantifiable indicators into either the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
activities or in the environmental (ISO14000ff) or social management system (SA 8000, AA
1000).
File: Download file (47496 Bytes)
Author: Jens Soth, Organic & Fairtrade Competence Center of Helvetas
Year: 2009
Category: Trade & Markets, Value chain
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Pulses

Description: Different pulses that are grown in rotation with cotton, displayed in a market in India
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2004
Category: Farming Aspects, Rotation crops
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Organic cotton farmers BF

Description: Meeting of organic cotton farmers in Burkina Faso
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2007
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Pigeon pea

Description: Cajanus cajan, a typical rotation crop of cotton in India
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2004
Category: Rotation crops
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Cotton baling

Description: Cotton baling, bioRe India
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2004
Category: Processing
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Ginning factory

Description: Roll-ginners in the ginning factory of bioRe India
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2004
Category: Processing
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Organic raw cotton

Description: Heaps of organic raw cotton (seed cotton), bioRe project, India
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2004
Category: Farming Aspects, Processing
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Red cotton stainer nymphs

Description: Red cotton stainer nymphs, India
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2004
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Compost_4

Description: Covering compost heap with mud layer; bioRe project, India
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2004
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Compost preparation_2

Description: Setting up a compost heap, bioRe project, India
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2004
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Compost preparation_1

Description: Ingredients for preparing compost, bioRe project, India
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2004
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Drip irrigation in cotton

Description: Low-cost drip systems in cotton, bioRe project, India
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2004
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Intercultural operations with weeder

Description: Bullock-drawn weeder in cotton in India (bioRe project)
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2004
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

cotton bud_flower_pod

Description: series of cotton bud, flower, pods, boll in India
Author: Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2004
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Organic cotton crop guide

Description: Designed primarily as a reference manual for extension workers and farmers, the Organic Cotton Crop Guide provides comprehensive practical know-how on organic cotton production in the tropics. The guide covers all relevant aspects from soil preparation and variety selection over crop nutrition and pest management to the economic performance of organic cotton farming.
Link: http://www.organiccotton.fibl.org
File: Download file (1967354 Bytes)
Author: FiBL / Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2005
Category: Environmental & social aspects, Farming Aspects, Processing, Rotation crops
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

ICS Internal control report of farm

Description: Simplified form for internal inspections of (cotton) farms
File: Download file (148480 Bytes)
Author: Lazare Yombi / Frank Eyhorn, Helvetas
Year: 2009
Category: Farming Aspects, Control & Certification
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Content of an operating manual

Description: Typical content of an operating manual covering the organisational set-up, main processes and ICS of a producer organisation or company.
File: Download file (30720 Bytes)
Author: Frank Eyhorn, Helvetas
Year: 2009
Category: Farming Aspects, Control & Certification
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

List of non-conformities and sanctions

Description: List of possible non-conformities with regard to internal regulations of cotton farms, with a respective system of sanctions (example from West-Africa).
File: Download file (90112 Bytes)
Author: Lazare Yombi / Frank Eyhorn, Helvetas
Year: 2009
Category: Farming Aspects, Control & Certification
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

ICS Plot form

Description: A simple form for farmers and extension workers to record farm activity data for a specific crop (as part of the Internal Control System).
File: Download file (80384 Bytes)
Author: Lazare Yombi / Frank Eyhorn, Helvetas
Year: 2009
Category: Farming Aspects, Control & Certification
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

ICS Farm form

Description: A simplified form to enter farm profile data, as part of the Internal Control System (ICS).
File: Download file (102912 Bytes)
Author: Lazare Yombi / Frank Eyhorn
Year: 2009
Category: Farming Aspects, Control & Certification
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Production and financial planning tool

Description: This simple excel-based tool helps you to plan production figures, costs and revenues over a period of time, and to calculate cost prices of your organic cotton and rotation crops. The tables need to be adapted to the respective situation.
File: Download file (50688 Bytes)
Author: Helvetas OFTCC (Frank Eyhorn)
Year: 2009
Category: Trade & Markets, Value chain
Submitted by: Frank Eyhorn

Cotton boll

Description: Cotton boll
Author: Helvetas, Switzerland
Year: 2007
Category: Other
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

G. barbadense

Description: G. barbadense
Author: Helvetas
Year: 2005
Category: Other
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Two cotton buds

Description: Two closed cotton boll
Author: Helvetas, Switzerland
Year: 2005
Category: Other
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Blossom, yellow

Description: Blossom of the cotton
Author: Helvetas, Switzerland
Year: 2005
Category: Other
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

White gold: the true cost of cotton

Description: Cotton production in the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan represents one of the most exploitative enterprises in the world. Up to one third of the country’s workforce is made to labour on cotton farms; denied ownership of the land they work, and forced to labour without reasonable wages they are unable to opt out of cotton cultivation – those who try are subject to violence, imprisonment and intimidation. Tens of thousands of children are forced to pick the cotton harvest each year. Crucially, the suffering caused by this industry comes at the hands of the government. It is the Uzbek state, not the country’s mafia that instigates the abuses connected to
the production and sale of cotton turning its people in to a slave nation.
File: Download file (1971112 Bytes)
Author: Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF)
Year: 2004
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Memorandum of understanding: producer - buyer - facilitator

Description: Template of a memorandum of understandig regarding the partnership on producing and purchasing organic-fairtrade cotton.
File: Download file (23712 Bytes)
Author: Organic & Fairtrade Competence Centre of Helvetas
Year: 2008
Category: Value chain
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

A rough guide for partnerships in global commodity chains

Description: This document represents the fourth and final output in Phase II of a long-term collaborative effort between the Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation (ICCO) and the Expert Center for Sustainable Business and Development Cooperation (ECSAD). This collaborative research project entitled Partnerships, Power and Equity in Global Commodity Chains” was initiated in 2004 with as its objective an enhanced understanding of the issues, processes and dynamics related to setting up international commodity chains aimed at improving market access for low-income farmer groups in the Third World.
Author: ECSAD / ICCO, Muller et al.
Year: 2005
Category: Trade & Markets, Value chain
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Organic cotton: a new development path for African smallholders?

Description: Drawing on case studies from Benin, Senegal, Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, this paper argues that organic cotton has much to offer smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
File: Download file (136353 Bytes)
Author: Ferrigno et al.
Year: 2009
Category: Farming Aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Fairtrade standards for seed cotton for small farmer's organizations

Description: The fairtrade standards for organic cotton from the Fairtrade Labelling Oragnizations (FLO). Version 2008.
File: Download file (49512 Bytes)
Author: Fairtrade Labelling Oragnizations International
Year: 2009
Category: Control & Certification, Processing
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Cotton subsidies and non-sustainable production in West and Central Africa

Description: The cotton trade has been characterised as a “success story” in the developmental process of African countries. However, the agricultural subsidies that the developed nations provide to their
cotton farmers have global trade-distorting effects. Not only do these subsidies reduce the income of the African cotton producers, but they also force them to use cultivation methods that harm the environment.
File: Download file (170612 Bytes)
Author: Submitted by
Year: 2009
Category: Trade & Markets
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Organic and Fair Trade Cotton

Description: Sustainable development project in India Organic and fair trade cotton
File: Download file (4179810 Bytes)
Author: Submitted by
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Organic Cotton Crop Guide

Description: Designed primarily as a reference manual for extension workers and farmers, the Organic Cotton Crop Guide provides comprehensive practical know-how on organic cotton production in the tropics. The guide covers all relevant aspects from soil preparation and variety selection over crop nutrition and pest management to the economic performance of organic cotton farming.
Link: https://www.fibl-shop.org/english/shop/article/1388-cotton-guide.html
Author: Submitted by
Year: 2009
Category: Control & Certification
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Organic cotton crop guide

Description: Designed primarily as a reference manual for extension workers and farmers, the Organic Cotton Crop Guide provides comprehensive practical know-how on organic cotton production in the tropics. The guide covers all relevant aspects from soil preparation and variety selection over crop nutrition and pest management to the economic performance of organic cotton farming.
Link: https://www.fibl-shop.org/english/shop/article/1388-cotton-guide.html
Author: Submitted by
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

Comparing conventional and certified organic cotton supply chains: the case of M

Description: Abstract: The certified organic cotton supply chain is compared to the conventional cotton supply chain in Mali. The most important differences between the two supply chains are highlighted in this study. Switching to organic production may offer a range of potential advantages to cotton farmers, including lower expenses for farm inputs, healthier soils, diverse sources of income, and higher prices. A comparison of the gross margins of both production methods indicates that Mali organic cotton may be able to offer higher gross margins than conventional cotton farming.
File: Download file (379049 Bytes)
Author: Submitted by
Year: 2009
Category: Environmental & social aspects
Submitted by: Andrea Bischof

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