Skip to content

Business

Cotton growers need help

by JW Dowey 29 Aug 2014
Cotton growers need help

The cotton plant is usually disregarded, but the 90% of farmers who produce or ital. crop in the developing world don't see it that way. They need water desperately to continue growing the crop, as climate changes kick in; Cotton boll image; Credit: © Shutterstock

Water Scarcity In The Cotton Industry

The water debate is in the spotlight. Global companies are helping to raise the profile of the most pressing challenges of water shortage, but the other end of this supply chain is too often overlooked. For example, the water situation for cotton - an often overlooked consumer crop - is particularly critical. The earlier stories on this problem featured businesses such as- Clothing Companies Concerned about Water Risk.

The CottonConnect organisation has worked with 130,000 cotton farmers and their families in India, Pakistan and China, proving that basic interventions can make a huge difference to the water being used to grow cotton, one of the world's most thirsty crops. Working with brands including John Lewis, C&A Foundation along with the Better Cotton Initiative, to improve relationships with farmers on the ground, improve resilience and share best practice in basic agricultural techniques and technologies, in cotton growing regions of the developing world.

CottonConnect warns that more support is needed for smallholder cotton farmers as they grapple with the effects of water scarcity, putting the global cotton industry at serious risk. In their upcoming report, they find that:

In just 15 years there could be as much as a 40% shortfall of water supply to forecast demand in the global cotton industry (World Economic Forum). For example, water tables in China, India and Pakistan, once just 5 feet deep, are dropping by as much as 10 metres a year. (WWF)

2,700 litres of water is required to make just one cotton T-shirt - the same amount of water the average person drinks in three years (Better Cotton Initiative)

Although agriculture uses 70% of the world's water, rising to 90% in many developing countries, just 20-50% of the water withdrawn actually reaches the crops because it is often lost during transfer to the fields (WWF).

The Solution

The reports calls for the cotton supply chain to help take farmer training to scale to reduce increase yields and reduce the water footprint in cotton growing regions in the developing world:

Basic interventions such as farmer training and knowledge sharing on basic agricultural practices, have resulted in 30% reductions in water use among smallholder farmers.

Installing simple technologies, such as drip irrigation systems, have resulted in water savings of up to 60%.

With 100 million smallholder farmers growing cotton globally, the impact that can be had through providing access to learning and basic technologies is significant. To protect the cotton industry, brands need to get involved in supporting smallholder farmers in the developing world, which produces 90% of the world's cotton.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping