Our Journey to Regenerative Cotton
Shopping for a new t-shirt has never been easier, thanks to the convenience of e-commerce, next-day delivery, and endless options. However, this culture of instant gratification has diminished our patience. As consumers, we are accustomed to quick results, but climate positive cotton from regenerative farming demand a different mindset—one that values time and patience. By supporting regenerative cotton farming, we can all play a part in promoting sustainable farming practices for textile production.
Understand Regenerative Cotton
So, what exactly is regenerative cotton? Because it is more complex and different than just organic cotton. While organic cotton avoids synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and harmful chemicals, regenerative cotton goes further by focusing on soil health restoration, boosting biodiversity and increasing livelihood of tribal farmers. It's about sustaining agricultural productivity while enhancing ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and water retention capacities. Unlike organic cotton, regenerative cotton does not hold one specific certification yet because its farming processes are exhaustive and place-based.
Discovering Raddis Cotton
In 2023, Trimco Group discovered Raddis Cotton amidst the buzz around "Regenerative Cotton." Their energy and commitment stood out, and their stories of empowering women farmers were compelling. We took a leap of faith and invested upfront in a future harvest, embracing the uncertainty and potential of regenerative farming.
"Choosing Raddis Cotton was a strategic decision for Trimco Group. We believe in their vision and the transformative power of regenerative practices, but we need brands to support this initiative by incorporating regenerative cotton into their products, from garments to trims," says Camilla Mjelde, Sustainability and Compliance Director at Trimco Group.
The Investment in Potential
When you invest in regenerative cotton, you're investing in potential. You're supporting clean seeds and the exceptional work farmers do. The outcome remains uncertain—you hope for favorable weather and a good crop yield—but you'll only know the results after a year.
Results of Our First Year of Trialed Investment
Our first year working with Raddis Cotton has yielded promising results across environmental, economic, and systemic impacts. Here are some key highlights from our trialed investment:
Environmental Impact:
- 25 Acres Under Regeneration:Introducing organic and regenerative practices (source: APEDA tracenet - NPOP certification).
- 16 Tons of CO2 Sequestration in Soil: Due to regenerative practices.
- 31 Million Litres Water Footprint Reduction: By using rainwater instead of irrigation.
Economic Impact:
- 50% Reduced Spending on Inputs: Through self-preparation of natural aids.
- 8% Premium on Raw Cotton: Providing additional income (source: procurement details).
- 30% Average Increase in Family Income: Compared to the reference year.
Systemic Impact:
- 8 different farmer trainings throughout the year; for example, Empowering tribal female farmers, by training for small business development, Cooking of natural pests- & disease management tools.
- 22 farmers became part of a Empowerment Producer Organization: Each including 500-1000 member farmers, favoring women.
- 22 farmers became part of a Empowerment Producer Organization: Each including 500-1000 member farmers, favoring women.
For a more comprehensive overview of our first-year results, please visit here.