Better Cotton in India

Climate change, water scarcity and poor soil health make cotton-growing a real challenge for India’s cotton farmers. Cotton in India also experiences constant pest pressures.

While pink bollworm infestations decreased by 70% in 2018-19 compared to the previous season, pressure from other common pests remained similar to previous years with increased pesticide resistance in some regions, which can have a knock-on effect on yields. Farmers do everything they can to protect their crops, but with a lack of knowledge of best practices in managing pests, they can often use pesticides too regularly or opt for harmful chemicals. This puts their health at risk and damages the environment. That’s why Better Cotton and our partners are working hard to help farmers use pesticides more safely and precisely and opt for more sustainable alternatives.

We also help farmers nurture soil health by understanding the best way to use fertilisers and the benefits of rotating crops and to support them in protecting and restoring nature in and around their farms.

Gender inequality and decent work are also central to our work in India. Only around 20% of the people we trained in India in 2018-19 were women.

Also, many cotton workers face poor working conditions, discrimination and low wages, particularly those from underprivileged, rural communities or migrant families. Children, too, may be vulnerable to working in the cotton fields. Working with our Programme Partners, we’re constantly stepping up our efforts to provide high-quality training to both men and women in a way that’s respectful of cultural traditions. We’re also working closely with communities, schools and local authorities to help protect workers’ rights, eliminate the risk of child labour and promote the importance of children’s education.