The Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) released its 2023 Annual Report, showcasing a year of notable progress and expansion in supporting farmers transitioning to and sustaining organic cotton production. The report features OCA’s commitment to creating a sustainable and resilient organic cotton supply chain.
Empowering farmers for a more prosperous future
In 2023 OCA saw an increase in the number of Brands participating in our Farm Programme to 16. Over 70,000 farmers benefited from our programme covering over 91,000 hectares of production. There was a rise in organic cotton procurement to over 87,000 metric tons. Supporting and funding new groups of in-conversion farmers annually is crucial for building a transparent, responsible, and resilient supply chain.
Scaling organic cotton in India, Pakistan and Türkiye
An achievement in 2023 was consolidating our work in Pakistan, including the rollout of Pakistan’s first Organic Cotton Training Curriculum. This initiative benefits thousands of farmers transitioning to organic agriculture by laying the groundwork for sustainable farming practices.
We have also set up operations in Türkiye, preparing for program piloting in 2024. This step aims to enhance OCA’s presence in key organic cotton production countries
New impact areas
In 2023 we secured funding and created partnerships to start biodiversity monitoring and regional Life Cycle Assessments. These initiatives provide valuable information on the environmental impact of organic sourcing activities, aligning with sustainability goals.
To adapt to new regulations and accelerate the Organic Cotton Effect, OCA introduced a new Public Affairs strategy. With this new area of work, we aim to create the right framework for organic cotton uptake and prepare our community for future legislative updates.
Advancing Decent Work at the farm level
In 2023, OCA launched its first training resource dedicated to Decent Work at the farm level in India. This initiative aims to improve working conditions and well-being on organic cotton farms. After a successful pilot phase, this training will be expanded next year as part of OCA’s broader Decent Work strategy, set to launch in 2024.
A growing platform
In 2023, we strengthened our global community and facilitated meaningful conversations around organic cotton. The community grew to 58 Contributors and partnering Seed Producers, reflecting a strong commitment to OCA’s mission of unleashing the true potential of organic cotton, from field to fashion.
We co-hosted the Organic Cotton and Textiles Conference in Indore, India, together with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and IFOAM – Organics International. We welcomed Contributors and donors on the field, where they could meet with farmers and experience our work on the ground.
