Organic cotton accounts for only 1-2 per cent of the 12.5 million hectares under natural fiber in India. An NGO working with tribal farmers in north-coastal Andhra Pradesh has brought together around 3,000 tribal farmers to procure 400 tonnes of organic cotton in the 2022-23 kharif season.
“We have taken it to international brands in the US, Germany and the UK,” said Anil Kumar Ambavaram, chief executive officer of the NGO. Farmers have earned at least ₹500-600 more on fiber per quintal (market price Rs.7,200-7,500)". Starting small with 42 farmers in three villages, the Raddi (radical disruption) initiative has spread to 140 villages At least half of them sold the produce to other buyers. They just don't grow. They grow many types of crops. The NGO has branded their produce as Radis Cotton, which is finding international buyers.
Encouraged by the good results, the NGO plans to expand the program to more villages. “We plan to explore export opportunities in Australia, France and Denmark”, he added.
Reddy, who grows cotton on 25 acres in Karavanga village in Nagarkurnool district, says, “I am saving Rs.80 for every Rs.100 spent by other farmers by following natural farming methods. Besides, I am getting ₹1,000-1,500 more for every quintal of organic cotton I sell”.
Inspired by Subhash Palekar's zero budget farming, Reddy grows several other crops such as chillies, paddy and pulses using natural farming techniques. They have recently signed a 10 ton deal for their organic cotton with a specialty textile company based in Hyderabad. “I have produced 20 tonnes of cotton this year. I sold the remaining half in the open market.
GV Ramanjaneyulu, chief executive officer of the Center for Sustainable Agriculture, said organic cotton cultivation, which showed promise a few years ago, has not taken off well for a number of reasons. Apart from declining interest among farmers, the issue of contamination (natural crops affected by transgenic crops) poses a serious challenge Availability of seeds, varieties by Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR) and All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) 2017-21 At least 64 non-GM (non-Bt) cotton varieties and hybrids were released during 2015 that can be adopted by organic cotton growers. Farmers are also given a package of breeder seeds and practices for organic cotton production.
global ranking
Despite the constraints, India accounts for half of the global production of 2.5 million tonnes of organic cotton. Madhya Pradesh tops among states with 38 per cent of the country's 8.11 lakh tonnes of organic cotton produced in 2020-21. Orissa is at 20 per cent.
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