Regenerative farming should adopt a holistic approach to consider social and environmental issues such as animal welfare, climate change mitigation and sustainable livelihoods
Regenerative farming has shown significant promise for the cotton industry, helping to regenerate soils, support ecosystems and improve farmer livelihoods all whilst increasing yield. With initial pilots showing the potential for transformative impact, how can this approach now be implemented at scale?
To explore this topic, Innovation Forum and CottonConnect hosted a free webinar on 6 June to convene stakeholders in the apparel and textiles sector. The webinar panel discussed the importance of local partnerships, community engagement and holistic approaches to measuring impact to drive the adoption of regenerative cotton farming practices locally, and at scale.
To follow is a summary of the key points, challenges and solutions discussed. To watch the webinar recording, click here or to listen as a podcast, click here.
Discussion summary
Extreme weather conditions, such as record-high temperatures and flooding in India and Pakistan, poses significant risks to cotton farming in the region.
The webinar highlighted key issues including the importance of appropriate methodologies for smallholder farmers to encourage the adoption of regenerative practices, and the importance of taking a holistic approach to farming that considers social and environmental issues such as animal welfare, climate change mitigation and sustainable livelihoods.
Trust and community engagement are emphasised as critical factors for successful implementation of regenerative agriculture.
CottonConnect’s work involves three key stakeholder groups – farming communities, manufacturing (ginners and spinners) and implementing partners. In the future, they are looking towards further engagement with government actors.
Community engagement
Adopting regenerative farming practices, such as no tilling, can be met with scepticism and resistance by farmers used to different traditional farming methods.
Solutions discussed:
Leveraging local implementing partners who speak local languages and are trusted in communities can improve the dissemination and adoption of sustainable practices.
Focusing on the entire farm ecosystem and involving communities in decision-making ensures actions are appropriate and beneficial. CottonConnect’s work in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India is context-specific to the agronomic situations of the area, and highlights that a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective when implementing regenerative sourcing.
When farmers see tangible benefits of practice change and the ”business case” (increased yields, resource efficiency and reduced input costs), they are more likely to maintain regenerative practices beyond the first year of trials - this requires time and patience.
Increasing awareness through knowledge sharing and clear communication with farmers is key – for example, explaining the benefits of agroforestry or no minimum tillage in terms of the impact on soil microbes can motivate more sustainable practices.
CottonConnect also extends programmes beyond farming communities to the manufacturing community (ginners and spinners), for example bringing solar panels to their operations.
Impact and monitoring
Overuse of pesticides and reliance on technology highlights the need for balanced and appropriate use of agricultural inputs.
Collection of robust data from on-farm practices is key to monitor the impacts of practice change, and to communicate this to farmers and partners.
Traceability of sustainable farming efforts is an increasing priority for brands and consumers.
Solutions discussed:
Embracing the use of natural inputs and biopesticides, such as those derived from buffalo urine, can enhance farm biodiversity, sustainability and profitability. Assessments made using the Cool Farm Tool have revealed that CottonConnect’s project areas have 23% lower carbon emissions than other surrounding areas.
CottonConnect works closely with farmers to support collecting quantitative data points and validates claims with internal and third parties (such as the Cool Farm Tool) to ensure integrity and credibility. The CottonConnect team also works with farmers to analyse data, understand lessons learnt and best practices.
Digital traceability through a partnership with Haelixa means that CottonConnect’s bales are traceable for customers throughout the value chain.
Implementing DNA marker technology to trace cotton throughout the supply chain ensures transparency and authenticity, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers and brands as well as enabling compliance with evolving legislation such as the EU green claims directive.
Scaling impact
Scaling impact of regenerative agriculture is often reliant on internal buy-in from governments, and senior decision-makers in companies.
Solutions discussed:
Partnerships and collaborations with brands play a key role in scaling CottonConnect’s programmes.
Increasing collaboration and dialogue with government actors, through conferences for example, can help move the needle on regenerative practices.
Community-focused campaigns have proved effective at driving impact on the local scale – for example female farmers mentoring each other on agroforestry, or as climate change ambassadors educating their peers.
Webinar panel:
Alison Ward, CEO, CottonConnect
Hardeep Desai, global head – farm programmes, CottonConnect
Prakash Philip, senior director – monitoring evaluation and learning, CottonConnect
This webinar was moderated by Toby Webb, founder of Innovation Forum
London
19th - 20th March 2025