How do we achieve this?
Our farmers are encouraged to harvest rain water by building small bunds, or dams, which reduce water run-off and replenish the water table. Our farmers also invest in intercropping, the practice of growing other carefully selected edible crops alongside their cotton to increase the soil’s fertility and carbon content. A more nourished soil holds water better, making the most of reduced rainfall and ensuring the valuable topsoil is not washed away.
We train and fund farmers to grow organic cotton, which also helps them to become climate resilient. Should the rains fail, non-organic cotton farmers incur huge debts to buy more seeds, fertilisers and chemical insecticides. By moving to organic, however, our farmers incur significantly reduced costs, as organic seeds, natural fertilisers such as manure and traditional pest control methods that are more affordable. This therefore reduces their financial burden. These financial benefits are in addition to the health benefits of chemical-free, organic farming.
Finally we train and assist farmers to set up co-operatives. This enables them to buy and sell in bulk, pool their knowledge base and allows easier access to bank credit and away from the unscrupulous money-lenders.
Why is it important?
By becoming climate-resilient, our farmers can help protect their earnings and therefore the welfare of their families. Farming practices that consider the challenges brought by climate change reap many long-term benefits, including a steady yield of cotton, clean air, water and nutritious food for themselves and their families. All this supports rather than strains an already challenged environment.
