In 2014, BCI launched a new programme in Senegal. It also entered into win-win strategic partnerships with owners of other credible national standards in Australia (myBMP) and Brazil (ABR) based on a rigorous benchmarking exercise.
Jointly with its partners, BCI promotes higher levels of sustainability in cotton production. In countries where BCI was established prior to 2014, it delivered strong growth - both in terms of farmers reached and volume of Better Cotton produced.
The Better Cotton Standard is applicable in any farming context. This enables more sustainable cotton production at scale to be a reality. BCI works in labour-intensive smallholder settings through to large, highly mechanised farm operations. All of these farmers are working towards improvements across a diverse range of social, environmental and economic issues typical in agricultural practices. From expert advice, the strength that comes from working together with their peers to improved market access, farmers reached by BCI can all benefit from the Standard.
Better Cotton is sown and harvested in different annual cycles all over the world. In some regions, sowing and harvesting take place in the same calendar year, and in others, these activities spread into two calendar years. This means that globally complete data is only available later on in the following year after Better Cotton harvests. So from 2013, BCI has divided its reporting into an Annual Report – published in March/April – and the Harvest Report containing the data from the field published later on in the year, around September. (SH)
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India