BETTER COTTON
Cotton SA is the official programme partner for Better Cotton in South Africa to ensure the international standards of the Better Cotton Standard for South African produced cotton. “The Better Cotton initiative is the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world. We are truly a joint effort, encompassing organisations from farms to fashion and textile brands, driving the cotton sector towards sustainability.” The Better Cotton Principles and Criteria lay out the global definition of Better Cotton by upholding the following seven principles:
BETTER COTTON FARMERS MINIMISE THE HARMFUL IMPACT OF CROP PROTECTION PRACTICES:
Better Cotton supports farmers in developing a better knowledge and understanding of practices that minimise the potentially harmful effects of pesticides and in adopting Integrated Pest Management technologies with an emphasis on the use of pest control techniques other than pesticides.
BETTER COTTON Farmers promote water stewardship
BCI supports farmers in using water efficiently to consume and pollute less water; thus, achieving greater yields and building their resilience to climate change while promoting fair use and allocation of water resources amongst users beyond the farm, and up to the watershed level.
BETTER COTTON Farmers care for the health of the soil
Better Cotton supports farmers in a better understanding and use of the soil. Healthy soil leads to significant increases in the quality and quantity of yields; to large cost reductions in fertilisers, pesticides and labour; and is the main asset for climate resilience.
BETTER COTTON Farmers enhance biodiversity and use land responsibly
Better Cotton supports farmers in conserving and enhancing biodiversity on their land and adopting practices that minimise the negative impact on habitats in and around their farm.
Better COTTON Farmers care for and preserve fibre quality
Better Cotton supports farmers in managing inherent fibre characteristics, man-made contamination, and waste content; to enhance their cotton quality, enhancing its value, and leading to a better price for farmers.
BETTER COTTON Farmers promote decent work
Better Cotton supports farmers in promoting fundamental principles and rights at work on employment and income opportunities, social protection and social security, and social dialogue; based on international labour standards.
BETTER COTTON Farmers operate an effective management system
Better Cotton supports farmers in operating a management system that includes the framework of policies, processes, and procedures to ensure they can fulfil all the tasks required to meet the Better Cotton Principles & Criteria; and enable continuous improvement in farming practices.
Better Cotton supports farmers in developing a better knowledge and understanding of practices that minimise the potentially harmful effects of pesticides and in adopting Integrated Pest Management technologies with an emphasis on the use of pest control techniques other than pesticides.
BETTER COTTON Farmers minimise the harmful impact of crop protection practices
Better Cotton supports farmers in developing a better knowledge and understanding of practices that minimise the potentially harmful effects of pesticides and in adopting Integrated Pest Management technologies with an emphasis on the use of pest control techniques other than pesticides.
BETTER COTTON Farmers promote water stewardship
Better Cotton supports farmers in using water efficiently to consume and pollute less water; thus, achieving greater yields and building their resilience to climate change while promoting fair use and allocation of water resources amongst users beyond the farm, and up to the watershed level.
BETTER COTTON Farmers care for the health of the soil
Better Cotton supports farmers in a better understanding and use of the soil. Healthy soil leads to significant increases in the quality and quantity of yields; to large cost reductions in fertilisers, pesticides and labour; and is the main asset for climate resilience.
BETTER COTTON Farmers enhance biodiversity and use land responsibly
Better Cotton supports farmers in a better understanding and use of the soil. Healthy soil leads to significant increases in the quality and quantity of yields; to large cost reductions in fertilisers, pesticides and labour; and is the main asset for climate resilience.
BETTER COTTON Farmers care for and preserve fibre quality
Better Cotton supports farmers in managing inherent fibre characteristics, man-made contamination, and waste content; to enhance their cotton quality, enhancing its value, and leading to a better price for farmers.
BETTER COTTON Farmers promote decent work
Better Cotton supports farmers in promoting fundamental principles and rights at work on employment and income opportunities, social protection and social security, and social dialogue; based on international labour standards.
BETTER COTTON Farmers operate an effective management system
Better Cotton supports farmers in operating a management system that includes the framework of policies, processes, and procedures to ensure they can fulfil all the tasks required to meet the Better Cotton Principles & Criteria; and enable continuous improvement in farming practices.