Make Cotton Sustainable

NEWS REPORT /ECOTEXTILE

BCI Expands To New Regions

With its goal of sustainable cotton being traded on the global commodities market, Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is looking to expand into growing regions such as China, Turkey and the USA.

During the implementation phase (2010-2012), the BCI is mainly focussing on four regions: Brazil, India, Pakistan and West & Central Africa. However, BCI is an open and inclusive multi-stakeholder initiative and is keen to see how it can help make cotton cultivation sustainable beyond their focus regions.

The BCI and Solidaridad have already signed a consultation agreement for China. At the end of 2010, the BCI Council confirmed that the 'Procedures for consulting on and establishing the Better Cotton System' in China have been complied with. A successful multi-stakeholder workshop was held in Beijing in November 2010.

With all these efforts, the coming years should see a growth of sustainable cotton farming practice in China. Funding is currently being sought to support this work.

BCI's vision is to develop a market for ‘Better Cotton’. It strives to bring long-term benefits for the environment by reducing the use of synthetic fertyilizers and farmers by helping them increase their incomes.

Guido Verijke, IKEA’s Global Business Leader said to Ecotextile News, “We are looking to develop projects in China, Turkey and the USA to grow production volumes. This is because for Better Cotton to trade as a commodity, we need to reach more than one million tonnes per annum. This will ensure that long forward commitments are possible which secures the farmers income and also ensures that less water, pesticides and fertilisers are being used.”

To read the full story: BCI Targets New Cotton Regions