New support for organic cotton farming in Turkey
26/06/2024
Turkey is currently the world’s second-largest producer of organic cotton. OCA has earmarked two regions, South-Eastern Anatolia and the Aegean region, as the focus of its mission to promote regenerative and organic agricultural practices, guarantee upfront procurement agreements and premium payments to farmers.
The move to Turkey “marks a significant step in OCA’s commitment to scaling organic cotton globally. As OCA, we connect key players, including farmers, ginners, brands, retailers and civil society organisations, to create market linkages and robust support systems for farmers. To accelerate the growth of organic cotton production, OCA is creating a transparent, responsible, and resilient organic cotton supply chain. One that prioritises farmer prosperity and enables all stakeholders to achieve their sustainability goals,” commented Bart Vollaard, OCA’s Executive Director.
The initiative, which works with some 60 organisations on the ground, has been present in India since 2016, before spreading to Pakistan. It says it now supports with 100,000 farmers across both countries.
“Being a partner in the Organic Cotton Accelerator programme in Türkiye has enabled us to support farmers in adopting sustainable practices while securing high-quality organic cotton for our products. This collaboration strengthens the entire supply chain and contributes to a healthier planet,” said a representative of Çalik Cotton, one of OCA’s partners in the country.
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