GOTS Talks - Organic Cotton Grown in Mexico

INCREASING ORGANIC COTTON PRODUCTION IN MEXICO

In this session, Jeffrey Thimm and Jesus Aguirre-Chavez from GOTS and Veronica Lopez Valenzuela dive deep into the roots, story and challenges of an amazing project that GOTS has been part of right from the start! Get to know the amazing people behind the initiative and their motivation.

Chihuahua is the largest producer of cotton in Mexico. It is here that GOTS partnered with local organisation Materia Consumo Sostenible, launching a bold initiative to prove that alternative approaches to cotton production are possible, as well as to develop the supply chains to allow farmers access to better prices and long-term commercial relationships. The pilot project targeted farmers already growing organic crops, who could easily include cotton in their crop rotation.

The project proved that growing organic cotton in Mexico is not just a possibility, but a sustainable reality. Overcoming the grip of conventional cotton, the current status of the initiative has shown the way forward towards a greener future. Our journey also unveiled the complexities of building organic cotton supply chains, providing vital lessons for the future.

Time Stamps:
• 00:00 - 01:43: Introduction of Panelists & the Project
• 01:44 - 09:08: Background and Motivation behind the Project; Historical & Cultural Aspects of Cotton Grown in Mexico; Biodiversity of Cotton in Mexico
• 09:09 - 11:20: GOTS Involvement in the Project and the Scope of the Initiative by Jesus
• 11:21 - 13:28: Jesus's On-Site Experiences "on the Field" & Impressions Working on the Project
• 13:29 - 15:36: Organic Farmers Participating in the Project
• 15:37 - 22:20: Challenges "on the Farm": Introducing a New Crop – Organic Cotton
• 22:21 - 30:23: Organic Seed Scarcity & Challenges Concerning Organic Cotton Seeds
• 30:24 - 40:00: Challenges of Getting the Harvested Cotton into Certified Organic Textile Value Chains
• 40:00 - 44:55: Numbers, Harvested Cotton Volume, and Results of the Pilot; Future Plans Concerning Production Volume
• 44:55 - 49:32: Value of Organic Cotton Cultivation and Responsibility within the Textile Industry; Cost-Profit Balance for Organic Farmers
• 49:34 - 53:49: Future Outlook and Goals until 2028; Organic in Transition Fibers
• 53:50 - 56:48: Jesus's Wish for the Future of the Project and Wrap-Up of the Talk

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