Cotton is one of the world’s most important natural fibres. It’s used by nearly everyone on Earth every day, and supports 250 million people’s livelihoods. It’s a renewable natural resource, but only if we manage it responsibly. Knowing that cotton is one of the major crops in the Northwest Karnataka, Deshpande Foundation with a support of IDH Sustainable Trade Initative, launched a Better Cotton Initiative to help farmers of the Sandbox area become more productive, reap better and to share good farming practices.

The Better Cotton Initiative (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. The initiative focuses on measurable, output driven technology integrating local and global farmers.

Orientation & Selection: The BCI program team attends Gram Sabhas where they introduce farmers to the concept of the program. In-depth meeting is convened, where interested farmers are grouped based on their financial status, area of cultivation and geographical location.

Seed Linkage: Farmers are directly introduced to companies, that provide good quality seeds at lower rates. This ensures quality yield, making it more profitable for the farmer.

Support & Training: Trainings on the best scientific practices is provided to the farmers allowing them to decide what works best for them. Additionally, they are trained on the 6 principles of BCI.

Market Linkages: Farmers are directly linked with ginners in need of quality crops. This facility ensures the exemption of middle men and better value for the crops.

Impact: The project has impacted 15,000 farmers by covering 3706 numbers of farming area and has increased 60% income of beneficiaries.