Better Cotton Conference 2024: Key Highlights
The Better Cotton Conference 2024, held in Istanbul, brought together over 400 participants to address pressing issues in the cotton industry under the theme “Accelerating Impact.” Over two days, the conference highlighted the need for sustainable practices, farmer empowerment, and collaboration across the supply chain. Here’s a concise overview of the conference’s major highlights.
Day 1: Empowering Farmers and Driving Change
The first day of the conference focused on two main themes: “Putting People First” and “Driving Change at Field Level.” The discussions revolved around ensuring better livelihoods for farmers and implementing impactful changes on the ground.
1. Putting People First
The day began with sessions centered on improving the lives of cotton farmers and workers. Key discussions emphasized the importance of ensuring a living income and decent working conditions. Aarti Kapoor, founder of the human rights agency Embode, delivered a powerful keynote address, urging stakeholders to prioritize the well-being of individuals within the cotton value chain. The session highlighted the need for equitable opportunities, particularly for women in agriculture.
Lars Van Doremalen, Impact Director at Better Cotton, shared insights from a study conducted in India, focusing on income disparity among farmers. The study stressed the need for better social safety nets and community support systems to uplift vulnerable groups. Nazia Parveen, a farmer from Pakistan, shared her inspiring journey of overcoming barriers and advocated for greater empowerment of women in agriculture.
2. Driving Change at Field Level
The latter half of Day 1 focused on practical approaches to making changes at the field level, with a strong emphasis on climate action and regenerative agriculture. A notable panel discussion, led by Lewis Perkins of the Apparel Impact Institute, explored the role of carbon markets in supporting cotton farmers. The conversation highlighted the complexities of carbon insetting and offsetting and their potential impact on the industry.
Field-level representatives from India, Tajikistan, and the U.S. shared their experiences with adopting regenerative practices, highlighting the benefits and challenges of implementing sustainable farming methods.
Day 2: Policy, Industry Trends, and Traceability
The second day of the conference shifted focus to “Understanding Policy and Industry Trends” and “Reporting on Data and Traceability,” emphasizing the growing need for data-driven decisions and staying ahead of regulatory changes.
1. Understanding Policy and Industry Trends
The morning sessions delved into how emerging regulations and industry trends are reshaping the cotton supply chain. Vidhura Ralapanawe, EVP of Innovation and Sustainability at Epic Group, urged the industry to move beyond compliance and embrace collective action for transformative change. Discussions emphasized the importance of involving smallholder farmers in policymaking and fostering collaborations between the private sector and policymakers.
2. Reporting on Data and Traceability
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to data and traceability, as the industry grapples with increasing demands for transparency. Better Cotton’s Director of Traceability, Jacky Broomhead, led discussions on how traceability systems can support sustainability goals, particularly in light of the industry’s net-zero ambitions. Panelists explored how AI and automation could streamline data collection, making traceability more accessible for all stakeholders.
A session on Pakistan’s First Mile Traceability pilot project highlighted the challenges of technology adoption and the need for continuous improvement. Tülin Akın, founder of Tabit Smart Farming, shared how agricultural technologies can help solve challenges in rural areas, underscoring the potential of innovation to drive positive change.
The Path Forward
The Better Cotton Conference 2024 underscored the need for collaboration and collective action in the cotton industry. From empowering farmers to embracing data-driven traceability, the conference highlighted that sustainable progress depends on the active participation of all stakeholders across the supply chain. As Alan McClay, CEO of Better Cotton, aptly put it, “Our commitment remains steadfast in driving positive change for cotton communities worldwide.”
The insights and discussions from this year’s conference will guide the industry in addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, as it works towards a more sustainable and equitable future (Better Cotton) (Specialty Fabrics Review) (Better Cotton).
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