Organic cotton supply chain in the making

20 Sep '05

1 min read

Netherlands based non-profit consulting firm ETC International's subsidiary, ETC India is planning to set up Fair Trade Organic Cotton Supply Chain (FTOCSC) in the country. The company also intends to develop close relationship between farmers, processing industry and garment factories under this program.

Last year, about 405 organic cotton producers from the Andhra Pradesh & Maharashtra's rainfed area were enlisted under the Organic Cotton Programme (OCP) that was organized by ETC India.

OCP team leader Arun Chandra Ambatipudi informed that another Netherlands-based international development organization, Solidaridad has also joined hands with ETC for a three-year implementation program.

He also stated that they will try to contact mutually-aided cooperative societies and other organisations for this program to ensure that FTOCSC is implemented within the next three to five years.

Meanwhile, to encourage farmers take up this program, State Bank of India has decided to extend credit at an interest rate of 8.25 percent.

The program is intended to raise the levels of organic farming, reduce dependency on pesticides, and ensure farming systems turn lucrative for small-scale cotton farmers.

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