Better Cotton Initiative

The Sustainable Trade Initiative

Aims to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it.

Our Vision

All cotton is Better Cotton: the Better Cotton Initiative’s (BCI) work will be complete when all cotton worldwide is produced sustainably.



Our Mission

BCI exists to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in, and better for the sector’s future. BCI connects people and organizations from across the cotton sector, from field to store, to promote measurable and continuing improvements for the environment, farming communities and the economies of cotton-producing areas.

ABOUT US

Cotton is mostly grown in mono-culture and is a very pesticide-intensive crop. These pests often develop resistance to pesticides that are used on a continuous basis. Increasing pest increases usage of pesticide usage and hence increases cost of cultivation. To tackle all these problems, there are some methods like Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Nutrient Management to be followed. Deshpande Foundation team educates farmers on best crop cultivation practices (Integrated pest management, Integrated Nutrient management) along with water management techniques.
Our Foundation initiated BCI program in 2013 with 3000 farmers. This year we have covered 92,500 farmers to work with our program. Deshpande Foundation employees are always motivated to work at grass root level by making farmers aware of the 7 principles of BCI.
  • BCI farmers minimize the harmful impact of crop protection practices. (Integrated Pest Management)
  • BCI farmers promote water stewardship.
  • BCI farmers care for the health of the soil.
  • BCI farmers enhance biodiversity and use land responsibly.
  • BCI farmers care for and preserve fiber quality.
  • BCI farmers promote decent work.
  • BCI farmers operate an effective management system.
BCI exists to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in, and better for the sector’s future.
BCI connects people and organizations across the cotton sector, from field to store, to promote measurable and continuing improvements for the environment, farming communities and the economies of cotton producing areas. BCI farmers receive training on how to use water efficiently, care for the health of the soil and natural habitats, minimizing the impact of harmful crop protection practices, preserve fiber quality and apply decent work principles. BCI also promotes the use of better irrigation practices with farmers, as well as reducing the use of fertilizers. Deshpande Foundation is integrating cotton farmers locally to give them access to trainings on scientific cultivation practices for quality crop, crop protection, use of environment friendly pesticides, water and natural habitat conservation methods which are given under BCI principles.

OUR IMPACT

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Area Served

FAQ'S

1. What is the Better Cotton Initiative?

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is the most extensive cotton sustainability programme in the world. We are indeed a joint effort – encompassing organisations from farms to fashion and textile brands, and civil society organisations – driving the cotton sector towards sustainability. In the 2017-18 cotton season, our on-the-ground partners and we provided training on more sustainable agricultural practices to 2.2 million farmers in 21 countries – of those farmers, two million gained a license to sell their cotton as Better Cotton.

2. Why does the Better Cotton Initiative exist?
3. What is the Better Cotton Standard?
4. Who are the Better Cotton Initiative’s members?
5. What is the Better Cotton Initiative’s view on forced and child labour ?
6. Does the Better Cotton Initiative promote genetically modified (GM) cotton?
7. Is the Better Cotton Standard System publicly available for use by third-parties?
8. How do I know if the Better Cotton Initiative is credible?
9. Is the Better Cotton Standard System publicly available for use by third-parties?