OCA Launches in Türkiye to Boost Organic Cotton Production
The Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) proudly announces its launch in Türkiye, uniting players across the organic cotton value chain. OCA will support local organic cotton farmers and those interested in transitioning, scaling the global supply of organic cotton. To highlight the launch, OCA is hosting a stakeholder event in Istanbul this week.
As the only multi-stakeholder initiative dedicated to organic cotton, convening nearly 60 organizations, OCA will focus on capacity building and empowering farmers with essential knowledge. Leveraging its eight years of experience in India and recent work in Pakistan, OCA aims to create optimal conditions for Turkish farmers to thrive in organic agriculture.
“We are excited to begin our work in Türkiye,” said Bart Vollaard, OCA’s Executive Director. “This marks a significant step in our commitment to scaling organic cotton globally. We connect key players to create robust support systems for farmers, fostering a transparent, responsible, and resilient supply chain. We invite all interested partners to join us in our mission.”
OCA’s first local partnerships in Türkiye have resulted in four projects involving 48 farmers, guaranteeing upfront procurement agreements and premium payments. These initiatives support a community of organic cotton producers.
“Organic cotton enriches our soil and provides better market opportunities and fair prices,” said Bünyamin Çam, a farmer working with OCA in Türkiye. “It’s a sustainable path that benefits our community and future generations. We look forward to increasing our production with OCA.”
Recognizing Türkiye as the world’s second-largest organic cotton producer, OCA aims to accelerate production and increase the visibility of Turkish organic farmers. The approach is tailored to local conditions, focusing on South-Eastern Anatolia and the Aegean region.
OCA’s stakeholder event on June 25 will bring together key organizations to discuss the future of organic cotton in Türkiye. The event will feature presentations, panel sessions, and interactive dialogues, providing insights into the organic cotton market.
“Partnering with OCA in Türkiye has enabled us to support sustainable practices while securing high-quality organic cotton for our products,” said a representative of Çalık Cotton, one of OCA’s partners.
