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Cotton Round Table: Regenerative & Organic Agriculture Sourcing

Cotton Round Table: Regenerative & Organic Agriculture Sourcing

The Cotton Round Table is a platform hosted by Fashion for Good to facilitate discussions among brands, suppliers, and industry partners about sustainable cotton sourcing strategies. This session focuses on the relationship between organic and regenerative agriculture, exploring their similarities, differences, standards, and field-level realities for farmers adopting these practices.

The discussion includes perspectives from brands, certifiers, and cotton industry experts, aiming to enhance transparency, farmer resilience, and supply chain collaboration in sustainable cotton sourcing.

Last updated: 10/09/2024

Introduction

Understanding Regenerative and Organic Agriculture in Cotton Sourcing

In the textile industry, organic cotton and regenerative cotton are often discussed as distinct approaches, yet they share common goals. This session examines how regenerative and organic practices intersect, their impact on soil health, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and the broader sustainability agenda in fashion.

Key Themes:

  • Organic vs. Regenerative Agriculture:
    • Organic prohibits synthetic inputs (e.g., pesticides, fertilizers).
    • Regenerative focuses on soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration, with flexibility in certain inputs.
    • Regenerative Organic Agriculture combines the best of both approaches.
  • Supply Chain & Certification:
    • Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) promotes direct-to-farm sourcing for supply chain transparency.
    • Regenagri and Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) provide frameworks for regenerative cotton verification.
  • Challenges & Opportunities:
    • Demand for sustainable fibre is rising, but barriers include seed availability, farm-level support, and scalability.
    • Brands must navigate certification landscapes and field realities for farmer adoption.

This session explores practical solutions, best practices, and the role of industry collaborations in scaling regenerative and organic cotton sourcing.

Content

  1. Introduction & Purpose
    • Overview of Cotton Round Table & its Objectives
    • The Growing Importance of Sustainable Cotton Sourcing
  2. Understanding Organic & Regenerative Agriculture
    • Definitions & Key Differences
    • The Sustainability Spectrum: Conventional, Organic, Regenerative Organic
  3. Trends in Sustainable Fibre Demand
    • Market Insights & Consumer Preferences
    • Key Barriers to Scaling Sustainable Cotton
  4. Standards & Certification Frameworks
    • Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) Model
    • Regenagri & Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC)
  5. Field-Level Realities & Case Studies
    • Challenges Faced by Farmers in Adopting Regenerative Practices
    • Brand & Supplier Perspectives on Scaling Sustainable Sourcing
  6. Discussion & Next Steps
    • Collaboration Opportunities for Brands & Supply Chain Partners
    • Future of Regenerative & Organic Cotton in the Industry

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