Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024: ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’
This International Women’s Day, under the theme "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress," we shine a light on the collaboration between Trimco Group and Raddis®Cotton. This partnership is a commitment to sustainable development and female empowerment, especially in the rural cotton farming communities in India.
At the heart of this collaboration is our shared vision for a sustainable future, where the textile industry operates with more respect for nature. Recognizing the critical role of regenerative agriculture in achieving this vision, in 2023 Trimco Group invested in Raddis®Cotton, an initiative that empowers women farmers to cultivate cotton through practices that replenish and rejuvenate the soil, the environment and the communities.
The magic of this partnership happens in the fields of India, where women like Ganta Jhansi lead the charge in turning conventional cotton cultivation into a new model of sustainability. Through the Raddis®System, these women are equipped with the knowledge and tools to practice regenerative agriculture, without the use of chemicals and can enhance their family income by up to 30%. The rain-fed regenerative cotton they grow earns them a deserved premium in the market.
However, the impact of this collaboration extends beyond the fields and into the very fabric of our clothing. As a trims manufacturer, Trimco Group supports the textile industry by providing trims from the regenerative cotton harvested by these incredible women farmers. This closes the loop and opens the eyes on sustainable production, ensuring that every step of the process, from seed to trim, contributes positively to the environment and society.
With the TRIMCO Group X Raddis collaboration we actively create positive impact* for the cotton season 23/24, for 13 farmer families and their 50 family members.
The environmental impacts will be in creating healthy soil, better water retentions, uptake of CO2 and the amount of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers that are NOT used.
Allow us to introduce Ganta Jhansi, a female farmer residing in a small village in Northern Andhra Pradesh. Ganta nurtures the land where she cultivates cotton for our Trimco Group labels.
"Greetings,
I'm Ganta Jhansi from a small village in Northern Andhra Pradesh, India.
I am thrilled to share our journey of transformation from conventional farming to the organic regenerative agriculture approach under the Raddis® program.
With just 1.5 acres of land, my family and I joined the Raddis®system to cultivate cotton without the use of harmful chemicals. The team assisted us in preparing organic extracts, making our farming journey eco-friendly and cost-effective.
Our interest in organic farming stemmed from a desire to improve soil health and ensure a safe environment. Motivated by my father's passion for farming, we partnered with the Raddis®Team and their agro-ecology specialists. Despite a lower yield this year due to insufficient rains, we are thrilled because we invested less money and still harvested 883 kgs of cotton!
Selling our organic cotton under Raddis® turned out to be a game-changer. We received a premium price, significantly better than what local middlemen would offer. The money we earned from our cotton harvest was used to pay our child's school fees and cover hospital charges for our 7-year-old son.
I express my sincere gratitude to the Raddis® Team and the specialists from their sister organization, the GVK Society, for their support. Their expertise, combined with assistance in obtaining better prices, made our transition to regenerative farming methods a success. We not only contributed to the environment but also improved our family's financial situation.
Our story demonstrates that with dedication and the right partners like Raddis® and their brand partners, such as TRIMCO, even small farmers like us can make a difference. We hope our journey inspires others in our village and beyond to explore the benefits of regenerative farming, cultivating resilient food and fiber landscapes for a healthier, happier future."
This International Women's Day, we celebrate the successes of our venture with Raddis®Cotton and the formidable women at its helm. We are in awe of their dedication to regenerative agriculture. As we continue to support and expand this initiative, we remain focused on the dual goals of environmental stewardship and women's empowerment.
Together, we're growing cotton on healthy fields, we're cultivating a better future, one that is more resilient, and inclusive.
*source: Raddis®Cotton