Please use the links below to read research conducted by both BCI and external parties exploring the potential and real impact of Better Cotton as support continues to grow worldwide. While these reports show that Better Cotton is linked to positive change, BCI will be carrying out further studies in the future as more and more quantitative and qualitative data is collected each year, to evidence of the real impact of Better Cotton.

• Evaluation of the Early Impacts of the Better Cotton Initiative on Smallholder Cotton Producers in Kurnool District, India, was conducted from 2015 to 2018. The research was funded by the Ford Foundation and commissioned by the ISEAL Alliance.
• Summary of the Evaluation of Outcomes in Pakistan. Analysis conducted to identify outcome level deliverables as a result of BCI facilitation in Bahawalpur and Sanghar districts, Pakistan. Developed by APP, 2016.
• Briefing Paper: Copenhagen Business School Research. Considerations for scaling impact identified from research into BCI implementation in India and Pakistan. This information is taken from a piece written for the BCI 2018 Global Cotton Conference.
• Better Cotton and Decent Work in India, Mali, and Pakistan: executive summary of the report produced by Ergon Associates, October 2013.
• Better Management Practices in cotton production: report funded by Marks & Spencer/BCI and produced by CABI, focusing on Brazil, India, Pakistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali Senegal & Togo, April 2009.
• Promoting ‘Decent Work’ in agriculture: review of global activities funded by Marks & Spencer/BCI and produced by Ergon Associates, April 2009.
• Promoting access to finance in smallholder agriculture: review of global activities  produced by Ergon Associates, April 2009.
• Promotion Practices Review on Decent Work and Access to Finance (India, Pakistan, Brazil, West and Central Africa): (zip file download) review of global activities produced by Ergon Associates, 2008.
• Social & labour issues in global cotton cultivation: desk based research produced by Ergon Associates for the BCI Steering Committee, October 2006.

BCI uses complementary research and evaluation methods and works with independent organisations and researchers to assess field-level impacts. This diversity of approaches is necessary to effectively measure results and impact both at scale and in depth.

Please see the Results and Impact page for further information.