Solidaridad Asia and the Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) are preparing to launch the regenagri Cotton Alliance (rCA), a cotton stakeholders' alliance, to promote regenerative farming practises in India.
Through various partnership projects in India, the Alliance estimates that adopting such practises will save at least one million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2030 while improving the livelihoods of over 500,000 smallholder farmers and the agricultural community. It is also expected to result in a positive shift toward sustainable cotton sourcing by brands and retailers, assisting them on their path to net-zero emissions.
Agriculture is a sector that is both dependent on and impacts biodiversity. Agriculture and forestry-related land use change account for more than 18% of global GHG emissions. Unsustainable agricultural practises, particularly the extraction of excess groundwater for inefficient irrigation, the unscientific application of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, and the conversion of agricultural fields from carbon sinks to carbon sources, are being condemned at several national and international forums. Regenerative agriculture is now considered a viable alternative to conventional agricultural systems, particularly for balancing smallholder interests with revitalizing natural systems for long-term production.
Regenerative agriculture, at its core, is about restoring degraded soil, improving soil moisture, and increasing farm biodiversity, which can then be used as a climate change mitigation and resilience strategy. The regenagri Cotton Alliance (rCA), which will be managed jointly by CRB and Solidaridad, aims to promote regenerative agricultural practises by focusing on: Protecting soil health in cotton-growing regions of India to increase biodiversity, preserve water resources, and aid in the fight against climate change.
Creating connections and a learning platform for cotton growers, processors, brands, and consumers to educate and support them on their regenerative journey. Assisting farmer groups in gaining access to technological solutions aimed at hastening the transition to regenerative agriculture CRB and Solidaridad Asia are committed to implementing effective and inclusive programmes on the ground, so they are collaborating to expand regenerative agriculture to more significant landscapes and across crops, beginning with cotton.
The Alliance will be launched on November 29, 2022, at the Hotel Le Meridien in Nagpur, at the event 'Reclaim to Regenerate: Towards a Regenerative Cotton Sector in India.' Solidaridad and CRB believe that through this alliance, the necessary shift in agricultural practises will be made possible by a new, more systemic form of collaboration among stakeholders across the value chain, including farmer groups, ginners, traders, buyers, brands, and agricultural and textile authorities.
In Vidarbha, Maharashtra, Solidaridad piloted one of India's most extensive regenagri certification programmes in 2020, assisting 8,000 small farmers in adopting the practises. Solidaridad is currently working with over 100,000 farmers in the region, and by 2027, they are expected to be regenagri certified. This effort alone would contribute to the reduction of approximately 100,000 tonnes of GHG.
The regenagri Cotton Alliance (rCA) aims to support the implementation of actions aligned with the Government of India's National Mission on Natural Farming. Solidaridad and CRB will work with government officials to align the Alliance's plans with the Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme, which is part of the national mission to promote agrarian livelihoods while also addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. Solidaridad and the Centre for Responsible Business encourage participants to make the most of the daylong workshop, which will educate and update them on new and innovative good farming practices. The partner organisations express their optimism in this regard. "Regenerative agriculture is the next step forward from sustainable agriculture," said Dr. Shatadru Chattopadhyay, Managing Director of Solidaridad Asia.
Indeed, Regenerative Agriculture is the Sustainable Agriculture of this decade, according to Solidaridad. Regenerative Agriculture practises are consistent with our forefathers' traditional knowledge. It is especially relevant for the cotton industry, known as "Tula" in Sanskrit, which also means balance or equilibrium. We aim to achieve this balance of economic benefits for Indian cotton farmers while also assisting in carbon sequestration - stabilising the security of international textile and apparel supply chains by fostering resiliency in land and communities."
"CRB is excited to partner with Solidaridad and regenagri on this initiative, especially given its timing," said Rijit Sengupta, Chief Executive Officer of CRB. This initiative follows closely on the heels of a set of guidelines released by the Government of India's National Mission on Natural Farming. It is well aligned with this renewed national focus on natural farming.
We are launching this programme with a focus on the cotton sector, with the intention of later expanding it to other geographies and commodities. There is growing interest in regenerating natural systems and supporting smallholders not only among global buyers/brands but also among domestic players in this sector. We are hopeful that the private sector will respond positively and participate in this initiative."
