In organic production systems, farming input costs are considerably lower, since most of the inputs are produced from local resources at farm level (compost, manure, natural pesticides). An enhanced crop rotation provides farmer families with a range of different food crops, thus improving their food security and reducing their dependency on the cotton market.
At the same time, the risk of crop failure through unfavourable climatic conditions or pest infestation is considerably reduced due to crop diversification and the cultivation of well-adapted species. Moreover, organic cotton provides extra income thanks to the organic premium.
Demand for organic cotton is constantly rising, since more and more buyers are looking for high quality cotton that is produced according to strict environmental and social standards. An organic certificate gives organic cotton farmers access to this dynamic market, thus reducing their dependency on the fluctuating world market for conventional cotton and allowing them to get a better price for their product.
Furthermore, the organic production model is often based on long-term partnerships between all the stakeholders along the value chain, strengthening the farmer’s economic security.