Page 18 - TEXtalks International June/July-2025

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Organic and regenerative farming

Becoming the next frontier for sustainability

Organic and regenerative farming practices are Despite these advantages, regenerative agriculture
rapidly gaining attention as the next frontier for faces several obstacles. Consumer awareness
sustainability, especially in the textile and fashion remains low, and the complexity of supply chains
industries. While organic farming has long been can make it difficult for brands to verify sourcing
recognized for avoiding harmful chemicals and from regenerative farms. Additionally, shifting
promoting healthier soil, regenerative agriculture traditional farming practices requires education,
takes sustainability further by actively restoring soil investment, and time, which some producers may
health, increasing biodiversity, and improving find challenging. To overcome these barriers,
carbon sequestration. These practices are brands and industry stakeholders are increasing
especially important for natural fibers like cotton, efforts to create transparent sourcing partnerships,
hemp, and wool, which form the backbone of many provide farmer training, and support certification
textile products. By adopting regenerative methods, programs like Regenerative Organic Certified
farmers can produce higher quality fibers while (ROC). These initiatives help ensure that products
simultaneously improving the environment. labeled as regenerative meet strict environmental
and social standards.
Regenerative agriculture focuses on rebuilding
ecosystems rather than simply sustaining them. For fashion brands, embracing regenerative farming
Techniques such as cover cropping, crop rotation, is more than an ethical choice; it’s a strategic move
minimal soil disturbance, composting, and toward long-term sustainability. By supporting
integrating livestock grazing are designed to farmers who practice regenerative methods, brands
enhance soil fertility, retain water, prevent erosion, can contribute to restoring ecosystems, reducing
and capture atmospheric carbon in the soil. This their carbon footprint, and delivering high-quality
natural fibers to consumers. As awareness grows
holistic approach also promotes biodiversity by and demand for sustainable products increases,
encouraging a diverse range of plants and animals regenerative agriculture is poised to shift from niche
within agricultural systems. These benefits translate innovation to mainstream practice. This transition
into healthier crops and greater resilience to climate represents a crucial step in transforming the textile
change impacts, making regenerative farming a industry into a nature-positive sector, where
powerful tool in the global effort to reduce environmental health and economic development
environmental degradation. go hand in hand.

June/July 2025