We hear the term organic cotton more and more often. But what exactly is behind this term and what is the difference to conventional cotton?
Cotton is still the most important natural fibre in terms of volume. In the last thirty years, world production of raw cotton has almost doubled, although the area under cultivation has only increased slightly. The reason for this is human intervention in nature, such as the breeding of higher-yielding varieties, more intensive fertilisers and greater use of plant treatment and weed-killing agents. The consequences of the use of chemicals in the cultivation and extraction of cotton on humans and the environment have been hotly debated in recent years and have become part of people's awareness.
5 facts about organic cotton
1. Reduction of water consumption by 70 %
For optimal growth, the cotton plant needs a hot, humid climate. However, since these conditions are not given everywhere, about 50 % of the cotton fields are irrigated artificially. It takes about 5-6 months from sowing to harvesting the cotton. Over this period, between 10.000 and 17.000 litres of water are needed for 1 kg of conventional cotton, in very dry regions (e.g. Africa) even up to 29.000 litres. To illustrate these figures a little better: 150 litres fit into a bathtub. Around 100 bathtubs filled with water are needed to harvest 1 kg of raw cotton. Now you might think that 1 kg of cotton can be used to make a lot of things - but you are wrong! 1 kg of cotton is needed to produce exactly 1 (!) T-shirt. Unbelievable, isn't it?
When growing organic cotton, only 30 (70% less) are needed instead of 100 bathtubs. This water saving is mainly achieved through smart drip irrigation or using the natural tropical monsoon. Organic and sustainable farming also allows more organic matter to be bound in the soil, enabling the cotton plant to absorb up to 30% more water.
2. Organic cotton does not need chemicals!
The cotton plant is very vulnerable to pests and insects during its 6-month growth phase. Up to 30 times a season, conventional cotton fields are treated with chemical fertilisers to make the plant grow faster and better. The use of chemical fertilisers is on the one hand dangerous for the people working in the fields, who often do not wear protective clothing and thus come into direct contact with the chemical substances or inhale them. On the other hand, the fields are no longer fertile after years of fertiliser use. The use of chemicals therefore not only harms people, but also nature.
Organic cotton is grown according to the principles of organic farming. Chemical fertilisers and pesticides are replaced by plant species. For example, attractant plants are planted between the cotton plants, which attract insects and eat the cotton pests. Chemical fertilisers are replaced by organic fertilisers such as animal manure or green manure. Additional composting and intercropping improves soil quality and thus achieves long-term soil fertility.
3. The cultivation of organic cotton saures resources
It is hard to imagine, but worldwide 20% of all insecticides and 10% of all pesticides are produced just for cotton cultivation. A full 83% of the nitrogen fertiliser produced ends up in the environment! The production of these chemicals requires energy, emits CO2 and at the same time pollutes our environment. Organic farming makes these chemical aids unnecessary. Through mixed cultures, crop rotation as well as organic fertiliser, the number of microorganisms in the soil can be increased, which loosens the soil and makes it fertile in the long term. This is almost CO2-neutral and protects the environment.
Here, at the latest, you realise that the cultivation of organic cotton is much more complex than that of conventional cotton. The fields have to be regularly monitored and protected. This additional effort costs money and time, which, unfortunately, many producers still shy away from.
4. Organic cotton completely without genetic engineering!
The effects of genetically modified seeds are difficult for us consumers to assess. However, when cotton is grown, the seed mainly determines the quality of the cotton fibre used later. 76 % of the cotton seed used worldwide is genetically modified.
Seeds cannot be obtained from genetically modified plants themselves, which means that farmers have to buy genetically modified seeds from large companies and corporations at the beginning of the season. In doing so, many farmers get into debt and this drives the farmers further and further into dependence on their capital providers.
When growing organic cotton, the seed can be extracted from the harvested cotton plants and used for the next season. The surplus cotton seeds can also be further processed, e.g. as cotton oil. The remaining waste from the raw cotton is used, for example, as fodder for animals. Thus, the cultivation of organic cotton forms a sustainable cycle in which resources are reused and not thrown away.
5. Organic cotton ensures modest prosperity for smallholders
As already mentioned, the cultivation of organic cotton is more expensive, which is why large corporations and companies shy away from this effort. According to a study by the BMZ, around 75% of cotton producers worldwide are smallholders whose yields are usually not sufficient to feed themselves and their families.
Growing organic cotton allows farmers to be paid fairly and they are not exposed to life-threatening substances. The long-term and sustainable projects now ensure prosperity for many people with resources for education and health. The increasing demand as well as the fairer payment for growing organic cotton also increases the incentive to switch to growing organic cotton.
Comments