know about ORGANIC KOTTON

Organic Cotton - Background Information
The Problem with Conventional Cotton Production
Cotton provides about half of all global fibre requirements. In addition to the six big producers (US, China, India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkey) cotton is produced in over 60 countries. It is an important source of income for millions of small farmers and contributes significantly to the national economy of many developing countries.
The size of the global cotton-growing area has not changed much since the 1930s but average yields have increased threefold through the intensive use of synthetic chemicals, irrigation and the use of higher-yielding plant varieties. Conventional cotton is very prone to insect attacks and large quantities of the most toxic insecticides are used in its production. Cotton accounts for about 25% of the global insecticides market by value and about 10% of the pesticides market. The intensive use of toxic insecticides and other toxic chemicals in cotton has caused serious health and environmental impacts, including farmer and farmworker poisonings, water contamination and bird and fish kills.
Organic Cotton Can Bring Health and Environmental Improvements
So serious are the negative impacts of chemical-intensive agricultural production, that momentum for change has grown considerably in recent years. The trend toward more environmentally friendly production methods is supported by a variety of interests including farmers wanting to escape the chemical treadmill, enlightened companies under pressure of increased environmental regulation and competition, and informed consumers calling for greater social and environmental accountability. The burgeoning consumer interest in organic food production has now expanded into other areas of organic production including cotton fibre produced in organic systems.
Organic cotton is produced in organic agricultural systems that produce food and fibre according to clearly established standards. Organic agriculture prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemical pesticides and fertilizers, as well as genetically modified organisms. It seeks to build biologically diverse agricultural systems, replenish and maintain soil fertility, and promote a healthy environment.
Certification of Organic Cotton
Certification of organic cotton production adds credibility to the final product, assures the buyer of the organic status of the product and encourages payment of premium prices to farmers who engage in organic practices. Certification is a system which sets standards, ensures that organic standards are met and communicates compliance to consumers through appropriate labelling. When a grower or processor is "certified organic," an independent organisation has verified that the company meets or exceeds defined organic standards. Certified organic farms are inspected regularly and must maintain comprehensive records of their production methods.
Certification programmes and standards vary, especially in response to regional differences, although there are general underlying concepts. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) has produced Basic Standards covering organic production and also textile processing which provide a minimum basis upon which standards in many countries have been based. The International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS) also exists to accredit certification systems. There are many certification agencies worldwide for organic cotton production but far fewer for certifying cotton processing to assure reduced health and environmental impacts. Several sets of processing standards exist in Europe (KRAV and SKAL for example), and others are being developed in Europe and in the United States.
The Expanding Organic Cotton Market
Organic cotton is now grown in 18 countries but still represents only a tiny fraction of the total global cotton production - less than 0.1%. The biggest producers in 2001 were Turkey, the United States, India and Peru. Smaller experimental projects are also expanding in size and numbers.
There are also signs that organic cotton is moving out of its niche market into the mainstream with increased interest on the part of supermarkets and large companies. Some clothing and textile companies are becoming interested in blending small quantities of organic cotton with conventional cotton. Purchase of organic cotton for such programs expands organic agricultural production.
Market retail leaders in 2001 were Patagonia (USA - specialist outdoor clothing company), Coop Schweiz (Switzerland - all types of clothing), Nike (USA - sports clothing), Otto (Germany - large mail-order company) and Hess Natur (Germany - medium sized mail-order company). Other well known retailers such as Marks and Spencer (UK) or Migros (Switzerland) are following. With Organic Exchange, there is another US-based movement aiming to encourage more and more mainstream garment and textile companies to use organic cotton. In addition, there is a large and increasing number of small companies involved. The range of products available has also increased and their diversity is well illustrated in this directory. Products now include all kinds of clothing for men, women and children, personal and healthcare products, home furnishings (mattresses, bedding, bath items, table linens and accessories) and fabrics, toys and nappies (diapers) - and even stationery and other paper goods
The textile sector in general is facing price competition as never before. Many companies are seeking comparative advantage in the quality of their products and in 'greening' themselves - and organic cotton is a way of achieving these objectives. The challenge is to communicate the health and environmental benefits of organic cotton production and processing to consumers so that their interest will be expressed in their buying preferences