Turkey would be the third country after Pakistan and India where the Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) initiative would extend its work to support farmers. The OCA is engaging local experts to act as partners to initiate three pilot projects aiming to harvest 2000 metric tons of cotton through 80 farmers.
Data collection and validation; sampling, testing, and reporting; and suggesting improvements to organic cotton projects are being done through third-party experts. The OCA ‘Farm Programme’ would provide farmers access to capital and matched funding to transition to organic cotton farming methods.
The base of organic cotton would be strengthened by involving brands and retailers to create secure demand with premium prices for organic cotton. Besides access to organic seeds, the farmers would also be given training on cultivation techniques.
The OCA has assured potential partners that brands have invested in OCA’s program in other countries because they are convinced that their premium on organic is delivering a meaningful impact. It enables the delivery of quality farm services by our implementing partners, and it gives them greater visibility over the source of organic cotton entering their supply chain.
The project aims to expand this program through the organic cotton-growing farmers that inspire others to make the switch to get better prices and assured sales. In the process, their land and soils remain fertile for future generations.
