Our Impact
Organic cotton farming delivers numerous benefits, from the improved livelihoods of farming communities to the protection of our ecosystems. Find out about our impact on the organic cotton sector so far and how our 2030 strategy is accelerating systemic change.

our impact

The Organic Cotton Effect

At OCA, we believe organic cotton is the catalyst for a truly sustainable textiles sector. We envision a future where, every time a farmer switches to organic cotton, there is a ripple effect of positivity; farmers earn more and their land and soils are fertile for future generations, protecting our planet. We call this the Organic Cotton Effect. As an accelerator, we want to get to this future, faster.

The Organic Cotton Effect starts with – and depends on – thousands of smallholder farmers. Farmers like Rajuram.

organic cotton

Our Global Strategy for 2030

By 2030 we want to achieve a transparent, responsible, and resilient organic cotton supply chain that promotes farmer prosperity and advances the organic cotton sector’s shared sustainability goals.

To get there, we have defined five clear strategic priorities. The way forward is clear, but we cannot do it alone. Realising our vision requires a united sector. Join us in our mission to deliver positive change to farmers, brands, and customers who want to know their purchases are backing a fair and sustainable industry.

Our Strategic Priorities

Growing Farmer Resilience and Livelihoods

We’re here to support and incentivise farmers to practise organic cotton cultivation. Securing long-term commitments with global brands means we can prioritise farmers’ financial stability and improve their access to training and inputs.

Enhancing Seed Availability and Diversity

We want to make the switch to organic as simple as possible for cotton farmers. Offering them access to a wide range of locally adapted non-GM seed is a critical first step towards supporting their adoption of organic agriculture.

Scaling Organic Cotton Farming Sustainably

What’s the greatest challenge facing the sector? Scaling organic cotton farming responsibly. Supporting farmers as they transition to organic production systems will accelerate the growth of organic cotton production.

Farm-Level Social and Environmental Data

We’re eager to enrich OCA’s social and economic data reporting capabilities with environmental impact metrics to clearly show the positive social and environmental impact of organic cotton farming for the whole value chain.

Working as A Collaborative Sector

A thriving organic cotton industry is only possible if everyone benefits. Our Contributors are a network of passionate players sharing best practices, resources and ideas to help us realise a more sustainable and representative industry.

Our Impact on the Ground

Our Farm Programme is a key lever for delivering the Organic Cotton Effect. We are using it to redesign how brands, retailers, and the supply chain source their organic cotton while transforming the lives of the cotton farmers producing it and the ground on which they farm.

 

OCA’s Farm Programme Impact Report highlights key dat showcasing OCA’s on-the-ground impact, as well as case studies of farmers who, with ongoing support through OCA’s Farm Programme, are making the switch to organic and are reaping the benefits.

Measuring Results

OCA’s Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework helps us gain insights about the effectiveness of our interventions in contributing to the aspired goals of our programmes. We also work with third-party verifier organisations who play a critical role in enabling the continuous cycle of learning and improvement we administer through our M&E system. To ensure their independence, impartiality, and rigour we mandate that verifiers who work with OCA meet certain requirements and demonstrate qualifications and competencies to illustrate their appropriateness for this role. We hope that the increased transparency brought by the M&E system fosters trust among the different actors involved in our projects and contributes to enhancing the overall credibility of our efforts.

organic cotton

Join our movement

By 2030, we aim to achieve a transparent, responsible, and resilient organic cotton supply chain that promotes farmer prosperity and advances shared sustainability goals. The way forward is clear, but we cannot do it alone. Realising our vision requires a united sector. Join us in our mission to deliver positive change to farmers, brands, and customers who want to know their purchases are backing a fair and sustainable industry.