Organic Cotton Takes Centre Stage In Global Sustainability Shift

The global textile industry is increasingly turning its focus to organic cotton as a critical component of sustainable production, with recent data from the Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) revealing major strides in cotton farming practices that support climate resilience, farmer welfare and ethical supply chains.

According to the newly released OCA Annual Report 2024, more than 100,000 farmers were engaged in organic cotton farming under the organization’s programme, covering over 106,000 hectares of land across India, Pakistan and Türkiye. These farmers produced nearly 89,000 metric tonnes of seed cotton, earning an average of €2,110 per hectare, an 8% increase in profit compared to conventional cotton producers. The programme facilitated €4.76 million in premium payments, offering vital financial incentives for farmers who adopt sustainable practices.

At the heart of this progress is a renewed focus on seed quality and access. Recognizing that a successful organic cotton system starts with the right seeds, OCA expanded seed trials across 87 sites and formalized seed commercialization agreements in Pakistan. Their publicly available Organic Seed Performance Database, now informed by over 300 seed trials, is helping farmers choose climate-resilient, regionally adapted varieties. A new Seed Supply and Testing Plan was introduced in 2024 to strengthen quality control and ensure a reliable flow of non-GMO seeds to farmers.

The transition from conventional to organic farming is not without its challenges. Farmers must undergo a three-year “in-conversion” phase before earning organic certification, a period often marked by lower yields and increased input uncertainty. To support them through this phase, OCA invested heavily in capacity building. The organization facilitated 442 demonstration farms, nine “train-the-trainer” sessions, and introduced an Organic Cotton Training Curriculum tailored for Türkiye. Approximately 36,000 farmers in the programme were in the in-conversion phase in 2024.

Market access remains critical for these farmers. OCA brands procured 92% of available organic cotton at premium prices, offering participating farmers more stable and profitable market pathways. However, only 58% of the in-conversion cotton was purchased at premium prices, signaling a gap in industry support for transitional growers.

Environmental benefits were a major focus of OCA’s work in 2024. The organization conducted its first Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of organic cotton farming across five Indian states, analyzing data from more than 18,000 farmers over three growing seasons. The study found that organic cotton consistently has a lower environmental footprint across key impact categories, including greenhouse gas emissions, water use and soil degradation.

Social impacts were also central to OCA’s efforts. Over 90% of women farmers in the network received hands-on training, reflecting a growing commitment to gender equity in agriculture. Additionally, OCA launched a Decent Work Strategy to tackle issues such as child labour, unsafe working conditions and inadequate wages. The share of digital payments to farmers reached 40%, improving transparency and financial inclusion.

Beyond the farm, OCA continued to advocate for the integration of organic cotton into global sustainability frameworks. It participated in EU policy dialogues and international forums, pushing for regulatory support and recognition of organic cotton’s role in sustainable textiles. The organization also strengthened its engagement in Türkiye and India by hosting regional stakeholder events and building new policy alliances.

For countries like Nigeria, where cotton has historically played a significant role in the economy, the OCA model presents a compelling blueprint. With Nigeria’s abundance of cotton-growing land and a large labour force, the adoption of organic practices could help revive the local textile industry, reduce import dependence and open access to the $10.3 billion global apparel export market.

The OCA Annual Report 2024 positions organic cotton as more than a crop, it is a cornerstone for building ethical, resilient and climate-smart textile value chains. As the demand for sustainable materials grows worldwide, cotton, once seen as a symbol of environmental degradation, is being reimagined as a fibre of the future.