Solidaridad Asia and CRB to launch regenagri cotton alliance

The regenagri Cotton Coalition (rCA), an alliance of cotton stakeholders, will be established by Solidaridad Asia and the Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) to advance sustainable agricultural methods in India.

Through a number of partnership projects in India, the Alliance predicts that the adoption of such practices will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by at least 1 million tonnes by 2030 while also enhancing the livelihood of over 500,000 smallholder farmers and the agricultural sector as a whole. Additionally, manufacturers and retailers are anticipated to make a good move toward procuring cotton sustainably, which will aid them on their path to net-zero emissions.

Agriculture is an industry that affects and depends on biodiversity. Together, land use change related to agriculture and forestry is responsible for more than 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. According to a press release issued today, unsustainable agricultural practices are being denounced at numerous national and international forums. In particular, excessive groundwater extraction for ineffective irrigation, the unscientific application of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and the conversion of agricultural fields into carbon sources from carbon sinks are being criticized.

Regenerative agriculture is currently being looked at as a viable substitute for traditional agricultural methods, particularly for reconciling the needs of small farmers with the restoration of natural systems for long-term sustainability. Regenerative agriculture, which can be a method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and boosting agricultural biodiversity, is fundamentally about recovering deteriorated soil and increasing soil moisture.

The regenagri Cotton Alliance (rCA), which will be jointly managed by CRB and Solidaridad, aims to advance regenerative agricultural methods by concentrating on Protecting soil health to increase biodiversity, protect water resources, and aid in the fight against climate change in cotton-growing regions of India.

In order to inform and support cotton growers, processors, brands, and consumers in their journey toward regenerative agriculture, links and learning platforms are being established, according to the statement. According to a press release, CRB and Solidaridad Asia are partnering to expand regenerative agriculture to larger landscapes and across crops, starting with cotton, by assisting farmer groups in accessing technological solutions that aim to hasten the transition to regenerative agriculture. Both organizations are dedicated to effective and inclusive programs on the ground.

The Alliance will be launched on November 29 in Nagpur at the conference titled “Reclaim to Regenerate: Towards Regenerative Cotton Sector in India.”

Dr. Shatadru Chattopadhyay, Managing Director, Solidaridad Asia, said that regenerative agriculture is the next development after sustainable agriculture. Regenerative agriculture is actually the sustainable agriculture of this decade, according to Solidaridad. Practices in regenerative agriculture are consistent with what our predecessors knew to be true in the past. It is especially relevant for the cotton industry, which is also known as “Tula” in Sanskrit, which also implies equilibrium or balance. Their objective is to create an equilibrium between providing the Indian cotton farmers with financial benefits and assisting in carbon sequestration, all the while stabilizing the security of global textile and apparel supply chains by encouraging community and land resilience.

Rijit Sengupta, Chief Executive Officer, CRB, said that CRB is thrilled to join with Solidaridad and regenagri on this effort, especially considering its timing. This program closely follows the National Mission on Natural Farming, Government of India, releasing a set of rules, and it is in keeping with the country’s newly refocused attention on natural farming. This program, which they are launching with a focus on the cotton industry with the intention of expanding to other regions, is in line with the revived national emphasis on natural farming.