Who we are. What we do.

In this issue >>>
Welcome to our first edition
Engage
Meet the Farm Engagement Team
Who we are and what we do
Regional roundup
Dates for diaries
Connecting organic cotton farming communities
What we will bring you each month...
Organic Exchange Monthly Farm Bulletin
Welcome
to the first edition of
Engage! The ambition of this monthly
bulletin is to bring organic cotton
growers all over the world closer
together to share ideas, challenges,
views and successes. We hope you
will enjoy receiving our bulletin and
that each month it helps bring us
closer together – as a community.
Since this is our first publication we
would like to take the time to
introduce ourselves, our values and
our ambitions. Starting next month
we will be bringing you more news
and views, special features and
regional spotlights.
To help us get off to the best possible
start we are asking you to write in
with your ideas and suggestions for
what you want to see in this bulletin.
So now is the time to tell us more
about the things you want to hear
about, and how we can use this
newsletter to better connect with
you. Please send your ideas into us
(contact details are on the last page
of this publication).
Liesl Truscott
Director, Farm Engagement
Issue 1, July 2010
Who we are. What we do.
The Farm Engagement Team
Yes we have had a name change but most of the team you may already
know. We will continue to work just as closely with organic cotton farmers
in the regions we are based and through our partnerships in regions where
we are not physically located.
Our ambition as a team is to help build the best organic cotton business
possible, and to make sure you – the farmers – get the best out of ‘going
organic’. This means we want to see you enjoy long term success – to find
economic rewards, environmental stability and for your success to bring
benefits to your local communities and a bright future for your children.
We will continue to bring our expertise to support the development of
your organic farms, but we will be taking a particular interest in helping
you participate in robust value chains. This means finding ways to improve
understanding and relationships between you, as producers, and the many
companies, retailers and brands you do business with.
We think ‘organic’ is a sound and effective model for growing cotton,
particularly on small-scale farms and we have enshrined this belief in our
values statement.
Our Values



We believe cotton that is produced organically and with integrity
should be the flagship of the cotton industry.
We are committed to supporting fair and transparent value chains.
We are committed to promoting the environmental, social and
economic stability that organic farming delivers to farmers,
communities and our planet.
We are a small team with a big vision. We envision a sector with wellorganised farmer groups enjoying access to stable and rewarding value
chains. We envision healthy lifestyles, healthy communities and a healthy
environment.
We see the future as Organic by choice.
A word from our Senior Director >>>
“Organic Cotton, a signature program of Organic Exchange, is a catalyst that allows many
of the social, economic, and environmental issues associated with conventional cotton
production to be addressed – environmental issues, climate change, bio‐diversity, water
quality and utilization, food security, human rights and social issues, as well as poverty in
agricultural communities. By facilitating the expansion of organic fiber agriculture, we, in
association with our members and stakeholders, can continue to have a positive,
significant, visible, and measurable impact on the world.”
La Rhea Pepper
Organic Cotton Farmer, Founding Partner and Senior Manager Organic Exchange
Meet your Farm Engagement team
Liesl Truscott (Farm Engagement Director)
Prabha Nagaraja (Regional Director-India)
Alfonso Lizarraga (Regional Director-Latin America)
Liesl Truscott, Farm Engagement Director, Based in the UK - “I think the best
way to create positive change is through understanding, empathy and
communications. If there is more transparency and closer ties between
members of the supply chain better, more innovative, ways of working can be
discovered.”
Prabha Nagarajan, Regional Director, India - “The vision for Organic cotton
will be realized only with a combination of sincerity of purpose, bold
leadership, insight, and a high level of integrity of all the members in the value
chain. Those higher up have the power to reduce the poverty and vulnerability
of the organic cotton farmer. It is my endeavour to act as an agent of change.
There is much to be accomplished.”
Alfonso Lizarraga, Regional Director, Latin America - “For me, supporting the
development of organic cotton is a passion. I am a scientist by profession but
it’s the practical application of this I enjoy the most. I see myself as a farm
innovator, and I find great sense of purpose in shaping what I know technically and scientifically - to match the needs and situation of each farmer
I work with.”
Silvere Tovignan, Regional Director, Africa - “I am happy to be part of the
organic community, because the best future of humanity cannot be achieved
without the organic thinking. In this regard, training of all stakeholders is the
key to reach such a future. I find education on organic farming to small scale
farmers’ one important priority to pull them out of the poverty circle.”
Silvere Tovignan (Regional Director-Africa)
Doraliz Aranda (Business Development Manager)
Doraliz Aranda, Business Development Manager. Based in the UK - “I´m a
business professional, but my passion is to raise awareness and to help move
people toward more sustainable practices in the textile industry. I want to
match farmers’ needs with brands’ and to bring them together to improve
their work. That would be my reward.”
Jose Santisteban, our new Research Manager, is based in Peru. Jose helps the
team find better ways to manage information, translates our reports into
Spanish, and supports the team’s research needs.
Integrity Stakeholder Meeting
Concerns about the integrity of organic cotton have been growing steadily. In late
2008, leading stakeholders ICCO, Solidaridad and Organic Exchange responded to
these concerns by forming a Consortium to review the issues and agree
recommendations for improvement. IFoam has recently joined the Consortium. As
part of the work, a study was commissioned, and India was chosen as the area for
the study given her leading role in organic cotton production and processing, and
because of the integrity issues that were raised in India in the recent past. Findings
of the study were shared with key stakeholders at Biofach January 2010.
As part of the follow up action plan a meeting was held on the 3rd of May 2010 at
Indore, India titled “Integrity in the Indian organic cotton value chain: a summary of
issues and gaps for potential action”. The goal of the meeting was to share the
findings of the Report and involve the stakeholders in identifying critical issues,
brainstorming and for them to come up with solutions both short term and long
term. Marieke Weerdesteijn of Solidaridad, Ajay Rastogi an independent
consultant, Heidi McCloskey and Prabha Nagarajan of Organic Exchange steered
the day long sessions. The participants included third party certification bodies,
both organic and fair trade, farm groups, representatives of mills and gins.
The sessions were noteworthy for the openness and transparent nature of the
dialogues and the genuine desire to make systems improvements that would
contribute to the integrity of organic cotton. Three stakeholder groups; the farm
group, mills and gins and certification bodies identified issues which ranged from
the crisis of non GMO seed supply for organic production, lack of a Code of
Practice, price issues, certification issues including contamination detection, buffer
zones, number of inspections, costs of certification, assured and timely orders from
brands, government support, and emerging issues such as the new web based
traceability being introduced by APEDA (the regulatory body of the government of
India).
The proposed action plans which are now being set in motion include the
formation of a producer body, formation of a forum of the Certification bodies, a
group to address seed issues, dissemination of information on GM contamination
and detection, and mobilising the support of the Government of India on critical
issues of supply chain traceability and ownership of integrity.
The initiatives in India are expected to be highly valuable for all stakeholders with
an interest in the Indian value chain as well as being important learnings that would
have application in all the areas of organic cotton production worldwide.
Regional focus >>>
India
Celebrating a decade
of organic standards
May 15th saw APEDA, (Agricultural
Produce Export Division Authority)
the regulatory and promotional
body of the Ministry of Commerce
celebrate 10 years of NPOP, the
National Promotion of Organic
Produce Standards. The event was
a day long affair, with seminars, a
Buyer-Seller Meet, and related
events, held at the Taj Palace, one
of New Delhi’s finest hotels.
The highlight of the evening events
was a fashion show of Organic
Textiles which was organised by
Organic Exchange for APEDA. Three
groups, Pratibha Syntex, Chetna
Organic and Appachi Cotton
showcased their clothing in a 45
minute show, with 12 Female and 6
male models, in 9 sequences. The
groups contributed about 4300
USD and the show was directed by
a leading choreographer of Delhi,
Anup Banerjea. APEDA organised
the press coverage, invitations and
cocktails to this stylish event.
India’s capability of producing a
range of high-quality cotton on her
organic cotton farms and the
design capabilities of our mills and
hand spinners was displayed with
flair and panache. The range of
garments included trousers, shirts,
knitwear and stunning saris, all in
fine organic!
Stakeholders meeting, Indore
Regional focus >>>
Latin America
Prospects for organic cotton growing in
Columbia
Colombia is a country with a long history of cotton production and is an
important textile industry. In April, an exploratory trip was made in order to
evaluate the potential for producing organic cotton and boosting an
alternative textile industry. As has happened in many countries in the
region, there is a reduction in area under cotton and approximately 80% is
transgenic (genetically modified). However, there is a good supply of
biological inputs making organic appear a feasible option. Conalgodon is the
organization representing cotton farmers in Columbia. Conalgodon has the
capabilities to support a pilot of organic cotton. Some companies are
already producing organic cotton products, for example Fatelares, which is
imported exclusively for La Siesta hammocks in Germany. The role of the
textile union (ANDI) will also be important in determining the future of
implementing an organic initiative.
Alfonso Lizárraga (Organic Exchange),
Mario Rodríguez y Luz Amparo Fonseca
(CONALGODON) y Alexander Grisar (La
Siesta)
Members of the Agroecology Consortium
Progress for agro-ecology in Peru
The Agro-ecology Consortium arises from the Peruvian agro-ecological
movement, which has been developing over the past 12 years. Agroecology means using a whole-systems approach to agriculture and food
systems development based on traditional knowledge, alternative
agriculture, and local food system experiences. Peru has a bill to promote
organic production and is in the process of regulating. The Consortium
has proposed agro-ecological advocacy actions for the next two years; in
order to have a regulation that meets the specification and the needs of
organic agriculture in Peru. This plan is being developed with the
participation of various members of the Consortium: the National
Association of Ecological Producers (ANPE), the Peruvian Association of
Consumers (ASPEC), Rural Coordinator, the Ecological Group, the NGO
IDMA; national networks as well, Action Network and Alternative
Agriculture (RAAA), Organic Agriculture Network (RAE) and the Agrarian
National University - La Molina (UNALM) and the participation of various
organizations such as Organic Exchange, supported by ICCO and
CERTUM.
Event Highlight >>>
On 11th June Alfonso Lizárraga, Regional Director of Organic Exchange, gave a
lecture on organic cotton to students of organic agriculture at the National
Agrarian University - La Molina (UNALM). The course is run by professor Dr.
Roberto Ugás. Students showed much interest and discussion afterwards ranged
from the certification process to the management of organic farms, to textile
processing. Alfonso enjoys the opportunity to bring organic cotton alive to
students in the class room as well as supporting farmers in field.
La fédération des producteurs biologiques de
Koussanar: Une entreprise paysanne en plein
devenir
Point régional >>>
Afrique
Le projet de production biologique de Koussanar (Est du Sénégal) a été un des
pionniers, en la matière, en Afrique de l’Ouest. ENDA PRONAT (une ONG) et
PAN UK ont soutenu la mise en place d’un système de contrôle interne qui a
permis l’obtention de la certification biologique. Lorsque le projet arrivait à sa
fin, ENDA n’avait pas d’autres options que de réduire le soutien en personnel
de terrain. Cette situation qui était perçue comme inopportune, a amené les
producteurs de Koussanar à mieux s’organiser et à prendre des initiatives.
Ainsi certains d’entre eux qui avaient plus d’expériences avaient accepté de
jouer bénévolement le rôle de paysan relai pour assurer la formation des
nouveaux membres et s’impliquer davantage dans la gestion du système de
contrôle interne.
Finalement, ils ont renforcé leurs bases organisationnelles en créant la
fédération des producteurs biologiques de NIANI et de WULLI dénommée
« YAKAAR NIANI WULLI (YNW)», impliquant de nos jours plus de 2000
membres. Les difficultés conjoncturelles du marché de coton biologique et les
besoins de ressources pour un bon fonctionnement de la fédération et des
services de qualité aux membres, ont amené YNW à envisager en plus de la
certification biologique, la certification équitable afin d’accroître les
opportunités de marché (comme l’ont fait aussi la plupart des projets de
production biologique de l’Afrique l’Ouest).
La plus récente initiative qui fait de YNW une véritable entreprise paysanne est
sa stratégie de diversification de cultures et la transformation du fonio
biologique dont une partie non négligeable est vendue sur le marché local.
Actuellement, la Fédération offre les produits ci-après avec la certification
biologique et équitable : la fibre de coton, le filé main de coton, le sésame, le
mil, le bissap et le fonio. Ainsi, la transformation du fonio constitue une
opportunité supplémentaire d’emploi pour les femmes membres de YNW.
Fonio transformé disposé dans la boutique
local de YNW
Une femme membre de YNW transformant
le fonio
De surcroit, “YAKAAR NIANI WULLI” dispose d’une stratégie équitable de
partage de bénéfice qui fait dire au Sous-préfet de Koussanar : “Il n’y a pas de
doute que YNW donne une grande valeur à notre communauté rurale”.
Filé main de coton biologique disposé dans
la boutique local de YNW
Q&A >>>
Si vous désirez plus d’information sur la production biologique du coton,
veuillez nous adresser vos questions et nous vous répondrons dans l’édition du
mois prochain.
Envoyer vos messages à liesl@organicexchange.org
Veuillez préciser si votre question s’adresse à un membre particulier de
l’équipe.
Nous vous remercions et espérons avoir de vos nouvelles !
Un membre de YNW filant le coton
biologique
starting next month...
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next
Discussion and debates
Tips for better organic farming
Our views on emerging issues
Compare notes with a fellow farmer
A closer look at the market
A day in the life of a retailer
Your questions answered
month
Connecting farmers across the globe
You may have come across a Farmer Visibility Map on our website
designed to make your producer group more visible to buyers of
organic cotton. The current website is undergoing an exciting
refurbishment and we hope to bring you the updated version
within the next few months. We will be contacting you soon for an
updated profile of ‘who you are and what you do’ and an
‘inspiring’ photo – if we don’t have these already.
Our annual Farm and Fibre Report is the authoritative resource on
organic fibre production. The Report also works as an awareness
raiser and we take this opportunity to write about organic cotton
farming issues and priorities. As you probably know, the way we
collect information for the report is through a farm survey. We
highly value the opportunity to get together with you that this
data collection exercise provides - and finding out how you are
doing. This year we will be in touch with you over the months of
July-September and will visit as many farmers as we can. We are
very grateful for your time and will do our best to make this task
as burden-free as possible.
Contact Details
Doraliz Aranda, Business Development Manager
Doraliz@organicexchange.org
Alfonso Lizarraga, Regional Director, Latin America
Alfonso@organicexchange.org
Prabha Nagarajan, Regional Director, India
Prabha@organicexchange.org
Jose Santisteban, Research Manager
Jose@organicexchange.org
Silvere Tovignan, Regional Director, Africa
Silvere@organicexchange.org
Liesl Truscott, Farm Engagement Director
Liesl@organicexchange.org
Please email Liesl with your...
 General enquiries
 Suggestions for this bulletin
 Questions for the team to answer
Please visit our website:
www.organicexchange.org
Final say from our CEO....
“The economic development potential of organic cotton agriculture is great. In large,
because it is a straightforward, accepted model for introducing farmers to
solid/fundamental best practices in cotton farming. This is an incredibly attractive
proposition for governments, funders, and other stakeholders who want to help the
population develop skills and abilities that apply to today's marketplace (local, regional,
and international). Organic farming is a method which promotes viable skills and a
market-based method for helping people in poverty move away from poverty.”
David Bennell
CEO Organic Exchange
Organic Exchange takes a global approach to developing markets. Our work focuses on building demand and supply simultaneously. We
focus on the entire value chain, from seed procurement through to retail. We provide models and tools for collaborative planning, problem
solving, product development, and point of purchase materials.
Through the work of Organic Exchange, and as a direct result of funding from our key partner ICCO, we now positively affect the lives of over
220,000 organic cotton farmers worldwide.