Reaping What We Sow: The Growth of Better Cotton in Türkiye 

Cotton is part of Türkiye’s DNA. Since its cultivation began in the sixth century, cotton has been a cornerstone of the nation’s economic and cultural identity. Today, the country stands as the seventh-largest cotton producer globally, with cotton playing a significant role in the country’s export market. 

Better Cotton has been part of this rich history since 2011, when the NGO İyi Pamuk Uygulamaları Derneği (IPUD) was founded to represent Türkiye’s key cotton stakeholders. IPUD remains our Strategic Partner in the region, and over the years, we have expanded our network, collaborating with other organisations like WWF Türkiye, GAP Regional Development Administration, and Canbel Tarım Ürünleri & Danışmanlık Eğitim Pazarlama San.  

As we approach the Better Cotton Conference 2025, which will be celebrated in the historic city of İzmir, we want to take a moment to highlight some of the inspiring developments that Better Cotton and IPUD have helped bring to life in Türkiye. 

Since establishing a presence in the country, the Better Cotton programme has expanded to include over 2,400 licensed farmers, who generated over 100,000 tonnes of Better Cotton in the 2022-23 season. These figures marked a 17% increase in licensed farmers from the previous 2021-22 season.  

While this progress is promising in our push for sustainability in the cotton industry, we recognise that there is still much work ahead. 

 Better Cotton remains committed to tackling the issues which the Turkish cotton industry has faced in a holistic and sustainable manner. Challenges like climate change mitigation and soil health, as well as human rights issues in the Şanlıurfa region in southeast Anatolia, continue to be significant hurdles. Let’s explore some of the key initiatives which we have been able to establish in Türkiye. 

Humble beginnings 

In 2017, IPUD began a partnership with the Fair Labour Association and brands such as Adidas, Nike, and Ikea to improve work conditions of workers in Şanlıurfa. The project, known as ‘Toward Decent Working Conditions in Cotton Farms in Şanlıurfa’, targeted ten farms owned by licensed Better Cotton farmers employing 189 workers. Change began by delivering training modules to farmers, focused on the importance of good practices such as employment contracts, fair wages, and efficient record-keeping. In addition to this, farm workers were also given training relating to their rights to fair treatment and decent work.  

From better soil to Better Cotton 

Near the town of Torbalı lives Teslime Çakmak, a Better Cotton Farmer whose family relies on cotton as their main source of income. In 2023, she received soil health training from a field facilitator from Canbel, our Programme Partner in the region of İzmir. Soil samples were taken from her field and tested for levels of organic matter. Her land was then divided into three parts to conduct a trial testing organic fertilisers against their own effectiveness when combined with vetch as a cover crop. The results showed a promising increase in yields when more organic methods were used. This initial trial sparked interest from other farms and has now expanded to other producers in the village.  

On the field action 

We wholeheartedly believe that the best way to promote and implement meaningful change around the world is to experience the field first hand. That’s why we organise field trips around the world to help bring ourselves and our members closer to where cotton is grown. This tradition will continue during the Better Cotton Conference of 2025. If you would like to sign up to the wonderful field trips which we have organised for June please make sure to register by visiting this link! In the meanwhile, continue reading to learn more about what to expect by taking a look back at field trips which we have organised in the past.  

For World Cotton Day in 2024, we organised a series of field trips to some of our farmers in Türkiye alongside our Programme Partner, Agrita. As of last year, they were working with around 450 farmers and are hoping to expand that number up to 1,000 in the coming years.

During these field trips, participants got to hear first-hand how we have impacted the ways in which they interact with cotton growing, going from a purely economic activity to now actively engaging with decent work and sustainability practices. These paradigm shifts have encouraged farmers in Türkiye to consider factors like soil health and pesticide use in their operations.  

By providing clear roadmaps for how to best achieve more sustainable farming practices, we are allowing farmers all over Türkiye and the world to improve their own livelihoods while contributing to the protection of the environment and their local communities.  

Initiatives like these have brought about measurable positive changes in communities across Türkiye, with improved worker conditions and the adoption of sustainable and fair work practices by farmers.  

Make sure you stay tuned to hear more about some of these stories, as well as a more in-depth look at our commitment to improving livelihoods and practices across Türkiye ahead of the Better Cotton Conference 2025.  

This year’s Conference will continue our tradition of supporting participation from farmers and other stakeholders from across the cotton community. Their continued support and collaboration are needed to ensure that we reach practical and effective solutions to the problems which continue to affect them and celebrate the victories which we have achieved! If you are interested in attending, make sure you register through our official conference website.  

We look forward to seeing you there! 

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