COTTON Yearbook 2018 - IDH The Sustainable Trade Initiative
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COTTON Yearbook 2018
Contents
INTRODUCTION 4
BETTER COTTON GROWTH AND INNOVATION FUND 6
• Better Cotton GIF: Introduction 6
• 2018-19 Season 7
• Towards sustainable transformation in cotton 10
Fund management 10
Driving innovations 11
Scaling Impact 13
• Key meetings 14
MOZAMBIQUE CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROGRAM 15
• Mozambique Climate resilience Program: Introduction 16
• Program activities 18
• Convening 19
• How to join 20
MAHARASHTRA COTTON WATER PLATFORM 21
• MCWP: Introduction 22
• Platform meetings 22
• Studies 24
• Projects 27
GENDER TRAINING IN iNDIA 30
4 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 5
Introduction
To this end, IDH has piloted climate resilience
programs in Mozambique and Maharashtra, India. In
the Mozambique Climate Resilience Program, IDH is
working with four private sector partners to increase
Cotton is the most widely used natural fiber in the farmers’ resilience against extreme conditions and
world. More than 250 million people across the world poverty by employing a coordinated approach to
depend on cotton cultivation and processing for their provide farmers with diversified income, improved
livelihoods including millions of smallholder farmers food intake, and training on sustainable agriculture
and their families. Owing to a large number of people production.
employed in the cotton sector, it is one of the world’s
most important fibers and cash crops. The Maharashtra Cotton Water Platform (MCWP)
was formed in 2015 to support resiliency of
However, the crop is one of the most water intensive smallholder cotton farmers in the state. Co-convened
and accounts for a substantial portion of pesticide use. by IDH, under the guidance and leadership of the
Growing cotton utilizes approximately 45% of the total Department of Agriculture, the platform has brought
pesticide use in India*, one of the world’s largest cotton together 40+ representatives from the public
producers. The IDH Cotton Program is working towards sector, global and local cotton supply-chain actors,
identifying and implementing approaches to reduce financial institutions, and civil society to deliver
cotton’s negative environmental and socioeconomic innovative solutions to improve water use efficiency
impacts. and increase the income of the cotton-farming
communities in Maharashtra.
IDH invests in and supports the Better Cotton Initiative
(BCI), an independent standard based on agronomic, Gender discrimination remains one of the greatest
environmental, and social criteria to create long-term challenges in the sector. Hence, within its exiting
change. IDH is a strategic partner to the Better Cotton programs, IDH has strengthened its work on gender
Growth and Innovation Fund (Better Cotton GIF or mainstreaming.
the Fund), a global program designed to support the
BCI in its goal of reaching five million farmers in key Women play crucial roles in the cotton sector but
cotton-producing countries and have Better Cotton their contribution to the sector is not frequently
account for 30% of global cotton production by 2020. acknowledged. Women farmers tend to be less
IDH plays multiple roles in the Better Cotton GIF as integrated into the cotton value chains and are
strategic partner and fund manager, funder, and partner mostly involved in labor-intensive work in cotton
for delivering innovations within the Fund. The Fund producing and harvesting stages. They have less
invests in farmer training and innovations for scaled exposure to the technical knowledge of cotton
supply creation. cultivation. Despite their dominant role in farming,
women have a disproportionately diminished role
The IDH cotton programs address vital sustainability in land ownership and decision-making. Women
issues such as pesticide use, water efficiency, and therefore remain on the fringes of social and
working conditions including child labor, gender economic development and face difficulties in
inequities, and poverty in cotton farming, which align accessing the resources, credit, market, extension
with the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development. services, etc.
Smallholder farmers, accounting for approximately 99% To raise awareness, IDH organized gender
of the world’s cotton farmers, face several sustainability sensitization trainings for the field-level staff across
challenges. Changes in the seasonal weather patterns its commodity programs in India to improve gender
and other effects of climate changes are making equality and empowerment within its program.
smallholders increasingly vulnerable, impacting
agricultural productivity and their health and well-
being.
*Cotton Market and Sustainability in India, WWF-India, 2012.
http://awsassets.wwfindia.org/downloads/cotton_market_and_
sustainability_in_india.pdf)
6 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 7
2018-19 Season
PROGRESS
In the 2018-19 cotton season, the GIF worked with 1.3 million* cotton farmers in India, Pakistan, China,
Mozambique, Turkey, and Tajikistan, who received training and support from the Fund through regional
Implementing Partners (IPs). The Better Cotton GIF directly invested €11 million* from BCI Retailer and
Brand Members, public donors (DFAT), and IDH and mobilized an additional €3.4 million* in co-funding
from IPs and supply chain partners (social enterprises, ginners, spinning mills, and garment manufacturers),
creating a total portfolio value of €14.4 million.
India Pakistan
The Fund worked with 17 IPs on 23 projects in 2018-19. The Fund worked with 7 IPs on 16 projects in 2018-19.
Estimated Program Results 2018-19* Estimated Program Results 2018-19*
Fund Investment Better Cotton Production
Fund Investment Better Cotton Production
€3,610,954 977,016 MT
€4,300,290 899,307 MT
Participating Farmers Area Covered
Participating Farmers Area Covered
385,506 1,117,511 ha
763,870 1,174,252 ha
Implementing Partners Implementing Partners
Better Cotton
CABI | COTTONCONNECT | LOK SANJH | MRWO |
AMBUJA CEMENT FOUNDATION | AFPRO | BASIL
REEDS SOCIETY | SWRDO | WWF PAKISTAN
COMMODITIES | BHARAT COTTON FACTORY | CAIM
| COTTONCONNECT | DESHPANDE FOUNDATION
Growth and | KK FIBERS | LUPIN FOUNDATION | MYKAPS |
PRATIBHA SYNTEX | PRDIS | PUNEET ENTERPRISES
Tajikistan
Innovation Fund
| SEWA | SPECTRUM | UDYANSH | WWF INDIA
The Fund worked with 1 IP on 1 project in 2018-19.
Estimated Program Results 2018-19*
Mozambique
Fund Investment Better Cotton Production
The Fund worked with 3 IPs on 6 projects in 2018-19.
€12,000 13,267 MT
Introduction Estimated Program Results 2018-19*
Participating Farmers Area Covered
Fund Investment Better Cotton Production 954 14,218 ha
IDH, The Sustainable Trade Initiative, Growth &
N
PLE ISHES
Innovation
FUNDS
€86,155 31,396 MT
partnered with the Better Cotton Initiative Fund
ent
RE
Pub
tm
Participating Farmers Area Covered
lic
(BCI) to launch the Better Cotton Growth and Implementing Partners
es
Pr v
&
iva In
te Sector
110,990 97,250 ha
Innovation Fund (Better Cotton GIF or the SAROB
global cotton p
ng
Fund) in 2016. sf
or
mi ro
du
ct
Implementing Partners
an
io
Tr
n
• The Fund provides a mechanism for OLAM | SANAM | SAN-JFS China
BCI Retailer and Brand Members to The Fund worked with 4 IPs on 4 projects in 2018-19.
Better Better Better for
make investments that can lead to for the for the the sector’s
tangible impact at the field level that
Market
farmers environment future
Far
mer Turkey Estimated Program Results 2018-19*
The Fund worked with 2 IPs on 2 projects in 2018-19. Fund Investment Better Cotton Production
cannot be achieved alone.
€532,137 297,155 MT
Estimated Program Results 2018-19*
• The GIF works with Implementing Participating Farmers Area Covered
Fund Investment Better Cotton Production
Partners to fund farmer capacity 97,801 174,633 ha
SU
P P LIE S
PR
O D U CE
S €184,090 79,550 MT
building in six countries – China, India, Implementing Partners
Participating Farmers Area Covered
Pakistan, Mozambique, Tajikistan and et
ter Cotto
n
B
3,000 45,500 ha COTTONCONNECT | NONGXI COOPERATIVE |
Turkey. SONGZI AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION CENTER |
Implementing Partners ZHONG WANG COOPERATIVE
IPUD | WWF TURKEY
*The figures presented within the report are 2018-19 season estimates. BCI will publish final season figures in early 2020, once the 2018-19 cotton
season is complete’
8 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 9
India China
NARRATIVES
Implementing Partner: Basil Commodities Implementing Partner: Songzi
Basil Commodities is an IP associated with the Better Cotton Program since 2015. In the 2018-19 Songzi is an IP for Better Cotton GIF in China. It has been associated with the Better Cotton
season, it worked in 175 villages with 45,520 farmers in the Amreli, Botad, Bhavnagar and Rajkot program since 2015 and is currently working with 45,908 cotton farmers in the Hubei province of
districts of Gujarat. This region in the state is dealing with several challenges including excessive China. The cotton growers in the region constantly deal with the higher cost of growing cotton
use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides by the farmers, heavy pest attacks (e.g., pink bollworm), for comparatively lower revenue. Mechanization at farm level and ability to fight diseases among
and uneven rainfall. the farmers’ crop is low. The farmers are also using pesticides and fertilizers excessively, leading
to soil contamination.
To meet some of these challenges, Basil Commodities is training cotton farmers in its project area
on good agricultural practices, use of fertilizers and pesticides as per the requirement, use of non- To meet these challenges, Songzi facilitates the sale of cotton to motivate farmers. They
chemical methods for pest control, drip irrigation, alternate furrow irrigation, and intercropping. suggest fertilizers to the farmers based on soil testing and are promoting organic fertilizers and
In its four year of engagement with the farmers, the IP has successfully transitioned the farmers integrating pest management techniques. This has helped decrease the consumption of fertilizers
in the program towards responsible use of agrochemicals, cultivating border and trap crops, and pesticides and reduce the input cost for the farmer.
intercropping, lower spacing between crops, and alternate furrow irrigation.
Songzi demonstrates direct planting techniques to the farmers, which has increased the level of
Speaking about the association with the GIF, Vishal Patel – Managing Director, Basil Commodities – mechanization and simplified cotton production for the farmers. The area under direct planting
says, “With the support of GIF, we have been able to scale up the project and reach 45,500 farmers of cotton is expanding each year. As of 2018, cotton planting had reached 10,000 acres under the
in four years. Operational support from the GIF team is also helping us in running this project project in total.
successfully.”
Farmer Story Farmer Story
My name is Rameshbhai Popatbhai Shekh and I am a Better Cotton My name is Yuanding Zha and I am a 46-year old Better Cotton
farmer from Botad, Gujarat for the last four years. I have been growing farmer from Hubei province. I became associated with the Better
cotton for a long time. My cotton yield, over the past few years, was Cotton program after the leader of our village commissioned
getting impacted due to heavy pest attacks and uneven rainfall. I hosting a meeting and explaining the program. I realized this
increased the use of agrochemicals to get higher yield. While it did not would be beneficial for farmers and the environment and would
have any impact on the yield, it resulted in higher cost of cultivation for also help improve my sale of cotton. So, I participated in the
me. When the Better Cotton project official came to our village for the first time and explained the trainings given under the project on water management, environment protection, maintaining
project, I felt that joining would benefit me as cotton is our main crop. bio-diversity, and responsible use of agrochemicals.
Before joining the project, I was not aware of good cotton farming practices and used to follow Apart from trainings, we get informational materials to learn more about Better Cotton.
other farmers and traditional practices. By adopting practices recommended in BCI training, my The project staff also comes regularly to the village to help us in deciding the formulated
cost of cultivation has reduced. I have also been able to reduce my water usage through drip fertilizers based on soil testing. We were also advised to stop burning cotton straw and to put
irrigation. I am also now doing low-spacing farming, which has led to an increase in production. it back in the soil.
Intercropping has also helped me in getting additional income and reducing weeding issues in the
farm. On becoming a Better Cotton farmer, I have been able to reduce the consumption of
pesticides and fertilizers at my field by 5-30%. While the revenue has been the same for me,
Reduced cost of cultivation and additional income has increased my profitability. I am now able to the lower input cost has helped me improve my profit margins.
save more money and provide good education to my children for their better future.
10 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 11
Towards Sustainable
Transformation in Cotton
The Better Cotton GIF continues to adopt Annual Better Cotton GIF Request for Proposal
innovative approaches towards increasing (RFP) Strategy
field-level reach and impact to support BCI in
The annual Better Cotton GIF RFP strategy is
achieving its 2020 goal.
led by IDH in partnership with BCI to establish a
Fund management strategic investment for the Fund prior to each
season.
Annual Operating Plan (AOP)
The strategy outlines country-specific targets
IDH supports the preparation of an AOP for and priorities and sets the selection criteria for
the Better Cotton GIF for the next season, the annual project application process to ensure
which is shared with the Buyer and Investor that we invest in farmer capacity-building
Committee (BIC). The geographic scope projects that will enable BCI to reach five million
for future investments is approved by the farmers in key cotton-producing countries and
BCI Council as part of the 2016-2020 Better have Better Cotton account for 30% of global
Cotton GIF Strategic Plan. cotton production by 2020.
Driving Innovations Skill Development for Field Facilitators in India
Notwithstanding the many successes, including Project implementer: Kuza
an efficiently run public–private partnership, Field Facilitators (FFs) are responsible for delivering
Fund increased market uptake of Better Cotton, training to BCI Farmers.
Management and over one million farmers trained in better
Cycle farming practices, there are several challenges There is currently significant variation in the
ahead. knowledge and capability of FFs in terms of
agronomic knowledge, decent work and soft skills
To globally transform the cotton industry, required for training and project management.
greater demand for Better Cotton is needed
Launch of
Portfolio throughout the cotton-using industry. For BCI The Better Cotton GIF and social development
RFP
finalization to reach its 2020 goals, the Fund needs to enterprise Kuza, are piloting a Skill Development
process
deploy innovative solutions across its program Project for FFs engaged with IPs funded by the
countries. This includes a stronger focus on the Better Cotton GIF in Maharastra and Gujarat in India.
principle of continuous improvement as well as The project aims to ensure that FFs have a uniform
enhanced value propositions and new models skill set and the understanding required to support
Invoicing and for engaging farmers, supply chain companies, cotton farmers with the implementation of the
Reporting payment Contracting
and governments. Better Cotton Principles and Criteria.
In 2017-18, IDH launched an Innovation Kuza conducted a day-long Discovery Workshop
Framework within the Fund to support the in November 2018 in New Delhi. Representatives
mainstreaming, impact, and scale of BCI from the five IPs participating in the pilot
globally as well as to serve to attract new project (Ambuja Cement Foundation, AFPRO,
Audit contributors to the Better Cotton GIF. Basil Commodities, Cotton Connect and Lupin
Foundation) and representatives from IDH and BCI
The Framework provides a process to help BCI attended the workshop.
and IDH identify, select, and invest in innovative
opportunities that support the longer-term BCI
goals.
12 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 13
Mobile Application for Farmer In the next phase of this pilot, Nongxi will begin Innovation Challenge
integrating the app into BCI trainings to move
Outreach in China In 2018, the Better Cotton GIF partnered with
towards standardizing and embedding the app
Project implementer: Binzhou Nongxi into daily operations. Dalberg to develop an Innovation Challenge
Cooperative (Nongxi) set to pilot mid-2019. The Innovation Challenge
Project Outcome will create an open pipeline of ideas that, with
The Fund is utilizing an existing mobile application GIF seed funding, will be developed into new
• On-demand access to BCI training
(app) called Nongjibao, developed in 2014 by viable service delivery models to improve farmer
materials.
livelihoods and achieve greater field-level impact.
• Interactive learning through mixed- Through this Innovation Challenge, the GIF aims
media. to drive an independent process for pioneering
pipeline development and funding and utilize its
• Sharing learnings and practices for vast network of partners and expertise to actively
continuous improvement. drive and enable innovation in the cotton sector,
addressing the many challenges it faces today.
Workshop participants discussed the key activities
conducted by the FFs and the challenges they
Observations: Scaling Impact
face. They also identified and aligned on the • Farmers are able to use this app to track As strategic partner, IDH is identifying scaling
main set of skills required for FFs. Based on the China Telecom in partnership with the Ministry of
daily farming activities. opportunities for the program to support BCI’s
outcomes of this workshop, Kuza is developing Agriculture and China Cotton Research Institute
global 2020 goal.
an online tool for FFs (accessible from any digital to further support and embed BCI farmer training • Some farmers are using the app to
device) that offers access to a wide selection of through a technology-driven engagement model consult agricultural experts. India scale partner platform
micro-learning videos on agronomy practices and increase the adoption of BCI practices by
deepening and widening our engagement with IDH has identified IPs engaged with the GIF who
and soft skills. One of the key features of the tool
smallholder cotton farmers across China for greater Challenges: can work towards expanding their current reach
is a standardized assessment tool that enables
scale and impact. to further scale the program and engaged with
users to identify skills gaps and then suggest • Digital literacy of farmers to fully utilize consulting firms - KPMG and TTC - to identify
a personalized learning path. This innovative The Nongjibao app serves to provide farmers with the app. challenges and possible solutions to strengthen
assessment and learning tool will enable IPs to access to information and knowledge on the latest management capacity to deliver high quality
deliver capacity building to FFs more efficiently • Most farmers are aged and require more
agricultural science and technology. Additionally, it implementation at scale.
and consistently across locations and to further time to get acquainted with the app.
serves as a means to receive immediate on-demand
manage the learning process (frequency, timing, agricultural support from connected agronomists Creating Strategic Collaborations
• Currently, the reported use of
curriculum) in an easy and organized manner. The and enables a community of online users to share smartphones and the internet by farmers IDH is partnering with large-scale government-led
assessment tool could potentially also be used to best practices and lessons learned with one another. is approximately 25%. programs in the country to increase its reach to
supplement IPs current FFs hiring process.
First Pilot Year cotton farmers within the program.
• At IP level, more training needs to be
The Pilot is expected to roll out in May 2019 across
provided to demonstrate the added IDH India has signed a Memorandum of
500 FFs from the five IPs in Maharastra and In this first pilot year, the focus has been uploading
value of using the app as a supplement Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra
Gujarat. all BCI training material and multimedia resources
to the current farmer’s capacity-building government under the World Bank funded mega
onto the app platform and working together with
training model. project to promote sustainable agriculture,
Nongxi Cooperative, based in Shandong, to train the
first set of BCI users on essential digital literacy to State of Maharashtra Agribusiness and Rural
access and navigate the app and share information. Transformation (SMART). The MoU establishes a
framework of cooperation between IDH India and
There are currently 344 total registred users the Government of Maharashtra with the goal of
including IP management staff, PU managers, FFs, facilitating the connection of farmer groups in the
lead farmers, and farmers. Between January and state with Better Cotton Initiative and Sustainable
March 2019, Nongxi is training an additional 9,000 Spices Initiative – India.
farmers.
14 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 15
Key Meetings
Mozambique
BCI hosted its annual
Implementing Partner
Symposium and Retailer
and Brands Forum in
Phuket, Thailand. IPs
from all over the world
gathered to connect,
Climate Resilience
Project
learn, and share better
practices. Retailers
and Brands Forum
FIIC met in Utrecht, discussions centered
The Netherlands. around impacts/results
This year, the FIIC FIIC gathered in claims, the BCI on
reviewed a total 66 Utrecht, to set the product mark, increasing
project applications GIF funding priorities BCI uptake, and
from 47 applicants and strategy for the providing input into BCI’s
across six countries. 2019-20 season. 2030 Strategy.
June
BCI Global November
Cotton IDH Ten Year
Conference Event
2018
January July December
Field FIIC Phuket,
Innovation Thailand –
and Impact BCI Retailer
Committee BCI hosted its IDH celebrated and Brands
(FIIC) annual global its ten year Forum and IP
cotton conference anniversary Symposium
in Brussels, Belgium,
bringing the entire
sector together
including retailers
and brands, supply
chain partners, CSOs,
and government
representatives to
collaborate on a
more sustainable
future for cotton.
16 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 17
1. Introduction Holistic engagement with farming communities
The importance of climate resilience in The Mozambique Climate Resilience Good
Mozambique Alternate Access to Access to
Program technology
agricultural
livelihood options energy practices
Mozambique’s agricultural sector accounts for IDH has partnered with four private sector
22% of the national Gross Domestic Product organizations: Olam, San JFS, Plexus, and
(GDP). Due to Mozambique’s geographic position SANAM, with additional technical support
and predominant dependence upon rain-fed from Action for Food Production (AFPRO)
agriculture, smallholders are increasingly becoming to convene a program providing smallholder
more vulnerable to the effects of anthropogenic farmers in Mozambique with access to inputs, Second crop Water Food Gender
climate changes, especially as most of the knowledge training on sustainable cotton opportunities empowerment
management security
country’s agricultural production is subjected to cultivation, and technology and information technologies
large floods and droughts. for multiple food cropping and animal
husbandry. Through a holistic solution, the Mozambique Climate Resilience Program promotes and builds on the
When scrutinizing average rainfall data beyond
the annual and monthly averages, the effects of need to empower farming communities with the ability to make informed decisions as entrepreneurs and
The program is designed to increase farmers’
climate change is evident. There is a dramatic community members. By promoting governance mechanisms and sensitizing communities on the power of
resilience against extreme conditions
decrease in consistent rainfall with high proportion a group, it offers a greater chance to institutionalize a system change and achieve long-lasting impact.
and poverty by employing a coordinated
to the monthly rain occurring in single days. approach to provide farmers with diversified
income, improved food intake, and training Program Model 2018 Summary
Ensuring resiliency of smallholder farmers against
on sustainable agriculture production. Pilot
volatile weather patterns is essential to secure In an exciting first year, the Mozambique Climate
projects are now running to support villages
the agricultural productivity and, in turn, health Knowledge partners and suppliers (solar, ICT, Resilience Program delivered the implementation
in the provinces of Niassa, Nampula, and
and well-being of Mozambique and its people. It poultry, 2nd crop input providers) provide inputs of four pilot projects in northern Mozambique.
Cabo Delgado.
requires mitigating the impact of climate change and capacity building for service providers Olam, Plexus, and San JFS joined the project in
by de-risking farmer livelihoods by maximizing Through the IDH cotton program and the 2017 as private partners and project implementers.
all possible and existing assets. This starts with existing collaborations between IDH and The number of project sites expanded to include
developing the household and community as the public and private sectors with different Cotton Concessionaire act as service providers a fourth private sector partner - SANAM - at the
a reliable safety net and requiring a holistic sector-specific expertise, this program was to the farmers by offering the services, building end of 2018, who demonstrated an interest in
livelihood approach for robust ‘asset’ development developed as an alternative approach to the infrastructure, off-taking, etc. joining the program. Capacity building support
and risk mitigation. development and inclusive growth. coming from AFPRO and IDH since 2017 has also
expanded to ensure the needs of the program
Specialized service providers directly to farmers were met as a result of this expansion.
for specific services (e.g. animal husbandry)
Working across four sites and with different
partners has proven to be a very effective way
of testing the program’s theory of change and
Communities receive training, access to
understanding the common denominators for
infrastructure, input, and potentially finance
maximizing the impact at the farmer and business
improve their performance, and ultimately
levels. While the pillars of our work remain the
theirprofitability and livelihoods.
same, the local conditions and organizational
approach of each of our partners vary. These
differences have enriched our experiences, yielding
Local ownership to ensure adoption and
the best practices that can be shared with and
continuation.
applied by others.
18 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 19
Program Activities enabling farmers to grow secondary crops through
the provision of agricultural inputs, fertilizers,
The investment in the 2017-18 season reached a pesticides, and farmer training in modern
total of approximately €470,000, combining both agricultural practices, farmers can grow additional
public and private sector contributions. crops for self-sustenance and added income.
Total investments in 2017-18 per project Alternate livelihood options – Animal Husbandry:
activities Diversification of income and dietary options is
enabled further by providing animal husbandry
3%
2% 0% 8% services as an additional activity to second crop
2% cultivation. Throughout the season, the program
provided animals to 94 selected beneficiaries. 10
6%
self-help groups have been formed and advised
2%
on governance structures, roles, and routines.
11% 65%
Accountability mechanisms were provided to help
carry out the management of animals in more
cost-effective ways.
Institutionalizing community-based cooperation: funders, the Dutch Embassy of Mozambique and
Increasing productivity in cotton: Cotton is a setting up Self Help Group IDH, and the private partners of the program. Due
Creating water sources structures Provision of service for crop major agricultural crop in Mozambique, ranking to such public-private partnerships, innovative
diversification Defining our cooperation with the communities is
Building soil conservation & land sixth in total export value and a main source approaches like these can be de-risked and tested.
management structures
Provision of service for animal vital for ensuring that implementation is delivered
husbandry of income for more than 300,000 smallholder Additionally, to achieve impact at field level,
Establishing water irrigation
Generating access to energy in an effective and inclusive way and builds the
infrastructures households in central and northern Mozambique. IDH supports the program in its three roles of
Service Delivery model Analysis foundation for ownership by the communities.
Provision of service for crop The Mozambique Climate Resilience Program convening, piloting, and co-funding.
production (cotton)
builds on the existing work for the promotion To answer this need, the program takes a two-
Creating water sources structures: Beginning in of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and Cotton
Convening
fold approach. Firstly, the program works with
2017, a key priority has been to ensure supporting made in Africa (CmiA) to train farmers on Good community members that are demonstrating Successfully devising systematic solutions require
infrastructures were built across different project Agricultural Practices for sustainable cotton an interest to join and to invest themselves in a multi-stakeholder partnership of funders,
sites. In total, 38 different structures were built production. The latter is carried out by cotton the opportunities offered through the program government, Implementing Partners (IPs), and
in four villages with a capacity of more than concessionaires, who in turn provide training as as they see their own benefit in driving results. private organizations to come together to address
55,000 m2 of water. A wide range of structures per the BCI principles to the farmers. In addition to Additionally, the program seeks to create self- the issues collectively.
(e.g.: community water harvesting, dug wells, and training good practices, cotton companies provide governed models with communities in order
dams) was built for water conservation and water packages of inputs and credit to all smallholders at IDH proposes to simultaneously engage with
to reduce dependencies and strengthen the
harvesting, soil conservation, and irrigation to gain key stages of the production cycle. national and local stakeholders and pilot
potential through collaboration, risk sharing, and
a better understanding of the associated costs and possible solutions that can be upscaled in a well-
accountability mechanisms.
benefits at the field level. Generating access to energy: Access to energy coordinated and efficient manner. Consequently,
and information technologies is fundamental In Muape, Plexus helped establish a women’s IDH has been convening a multi-stakeholder
Diversification of crop production: Crop to building resilience. By harnessing low-cost saving group including 13 women. The program platform to engage with all relevant institutions
diversification provides farmers with both technologies, the projects provide solar panels advised them on setting various rules for (e.g., government organizations, international
income diversity and food security to ensure at the community level along with appropriate collaboration such as meeting schedules, development institutions, CSOs, knowledge
resilience against external shocks. IDH hired a implementation schemes to ensure they can be establishing roles and responsibilities, principles partners, and private sector businesses) since 2016.
local agronomist to help plan and execute second credited and reimbursed through viable financial for saving, borrowing and repaying, security, The objectives are to facilitate an overarching
cropping in all villages and to provide on-site models.As a starting point for this intervention, accountability, etc. In one year, they were able to collaborative vision, a comprehensive coverage
training and demonstrations at each of the project 3 individuals received solar panels during the save a total of MZN 22,000 with each member of the farming community, and an effective
sites. In addition, the program partners provided first year. Guidelines were also discussed with contributing MZN 50 per week. coordination while pilot projects are being
farmers with seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. By entrepreneurs for the maintenance of the solar kit deployed in five different regions. Deploying the
and expansion of activities in the village. Program Funding pilot projects forms the starting point for platform
The funding structure for this program and the discussions to help define their implementation,
implementation of the field-level projects is based which is facilitated by IDH and implemented by
upon matched funded support between public local implementing agencies and private sector20 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 21
partners. IDH wishes to tap into the potential How to Join
of these existing relationships with farming
communities and investigate current partnerships The Program is looking for interested agencies that
for establishing these pilots. are currently doing business in Mozambique and
who have the potential to make a difference within
The platform effectively provides the space for our interventions. If you are:
discussing issues to be tackled; implementing
1. a private company that directly or indirectly
results of new initiatives such as the pilot projects
is involved in commodity production
at the farm, community, and watershed levels; and
(agri-commodity, livestock supply-chain
identifying replication possibilities at the national
company, farming business, input provider)
level. Key outputs include:
and interested in outgrower schemes and
- Connecting relevant and interested production intensification;
organizations that have or could have a role
2. an advisory, technical-assistance expert
Maharashtra
in addressing climate resilience measures in
who can liaise with the program pillars
Mozambique
interested in providing services (e.g.,
- Linking financiers with pilot projects
Cotton Water
water, CSAs, animal husbandry, sustainable
to be established to catalyze required energy);
investments
3. a public institution, donor agency, or funder
-
-
Evaluating results and best practices
Assessing upscaling possibilities and drive
interested in addressing climate adaptation,
agriculture development, and food
Platform
the investment agenda for implementation insecurity; and/or
4. a knowledge institution who wishes to
contribute and learn
please do not hesitate to reach out to
chanda@idhtrade.org22 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 23
Second Platform Meeting, October 2018
Introduction
This meeting provided platform members a space Additionally, on behalf of the Government of
Established under the broader Maharashtra Water the income of the cotton farming communities, to share updates on interesting models including: Maharashtra, the Platform Chair introduced
Multi-Stakeholder Platform and sitting within the and support partnerships with cotton supply chain the ‘State of Maharashtra’s Agribusiness
Water and Livelihood Security workstream, the actors for offtake arrangements and farm-level • Harmonization of Private Sustainability
and Rural Transformation Project’ (SMART
Maharashtra Cotton Water Platform was formed interventions. Standards and Policy
Project), inviting participation from platform
in 2015 under the guidance and leadership of the • A Water Entrepreneur Model
IDH, in collaboration with 2030 Water Resource members.
Department of Agriculture, bringing together • Digitalisation of the cotton bale market.
Group (2030WRG) under an MoU signed in April
representatives from the public sector, global
2017, leads the development of the initiatives and
and local cotton supply chain actors, financial
working groups under the Maharashtra Cotton
institutions, and civil society to deliver innovative
Water Platform.
solutions to improve water use efficiency, increase
Maharashtra Multistakeholder Platform
Chaired by Chief Scretary –
Agri; Private Sector – Co-Chair
3 Workstreams
under MSP
1. De-risking Rain-fed Agriculture 2. Command Area 3. Urban Industrial
2 Initiatives
under Derisk,
Rf, Agri WS
1. Cotton Water Platform 2. Green Climate Fund PMU POCRA PMU
Project Director - Vikas Rastogi, IAS; Project Director -
PMU will be shared with POCRA Vikas Rastogi, IAS;
(GCF being a subset of the POCRA
watersheds)
Platform Meetings
Inaugural Meeting - March, 2018
At the inaugural platform meeting, the focus on
proposed themes emerged through a moderated
discussion which included:
• Sustainability Standards in Cotton
• Diversification of Cotton farmer incomes
• Gender in Agriculture
• Business Modeling for Farmer Services and
Engagement24 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 25
Establishing the Business Case of Establishing the Business Case
STUDIES
STUDIES
Integrating Women Cultivators in of Investing in Smallholder
Maharashtra Livelihoods
This study assesses the levels and barriers of - Women account for 74% of fertilizer This study assesses a range of intervention yields domestically) but results can be applied to
empowering women engaged in agriculture by application. Delayed application of fertilizers strategies (decreased cost of cultivation, increase farmers across India and even internationally to
analyzing how to access targeted interventions for can reduce yield by 10-40%. While engaged in yield, adhering to market requirements, moving other developing cotton-growing nations.
women farmers. Ultimately, this could lead to better in weeding activities, women are on the field beyond cotton, and livelihood diversification) that
adoption of practices, positive impact for women, as during the early schedule of pest monitoring could potentially contribute to increasing cotton
Methodology
well as better environmental and agronomic outputs. and can be trained to scout for pests to farmers’ incomes, quantifying the economics of A large-scale farmer survey of 726 Maharashtrian
reduce incidents of pest attacks. implementation, and the incremental value added.
Executive Summary cotton farmers was conducted from November
3. Women have limited access to productive 2018 to January 2019. Farmer responses were
India’s cotton ecosystem has the potential for a
Women play a critical role in cotton cultivation. resources and a limited say in decision making on collected from six districts in Maharashtra: Akola,
radical change that can benefit all value chain players
According to the International Trade Center, women the farm. Amravati, Jalna, Jalgaon, Parbhani, and Yavatmal.
involved, especially the millions of small cotton
cotton cultivators account for 70% of the labor in - Only 16% of the women surveyed held land
sowing and 90% of the labor in cotton picking. While titles in their name.
farmers that form the backbone of India’s cotton Prioritized Interventions
industry. Indian cotton farmers are however plagued
women do a majority of tasks involved in cotton - 85% women surveyed had never accessed A long list of interventions was collected through
by low yields and limited income over several years
cultivation, they have limited roles to play in decision any government schemes, citing lack of secondary research and expert interviews at the
which have created a high incidence of unsustainable
making, limited control over profits, and high value knowledge as the main limiting factor. onset of this study. Filtering for impact reduced
debt among farmers that has created additional
roles. Women cultivators have reduced access to the long list of interventions from 56 total
4. Knowledge of the best cultivation practices can financial and social pressures.
knowledge and skills that could help them strengthen interventions to 20 high-impact interventions
significantly enhance the role women play in
the role they play on the farm, thus limiting their This report outlines a strategy towards doubling according to the approach laid out in the
optimizing yield and profitability.
ability to maximize productivity on the farm and net household income of Indian farmers. Research methodology section of this report. These 20
optimizing yield. - Currently, findings show that 63% untrained is focused on the Indian state of Maharashtra (the interventions were then scored on the basis of
women cultivators do not follow any scientific largest cotton-growing state by area with the lowest financial viability and adaptability.
This study focused on building an understanding of method of training. This number reduces to
gender roles and responsibilities in cotton cultivation, 5.7% when women are trained as cultivators.
including the gendered division of access to
resources, current farm practices, the labor burden,
and access to support from the ecosystem via
trainings, finance, extension services, and government
schemes.
Key Insights from the Study
1. Women account for a majority of the tasks
involved in cotton cultivation and play a critical
role in stubble picking, sowing, de-weeding, and
cotton picking and storage.
- Women have increased participation in
production and picking activities.
2. Tasks undertaken by women cultivators directly
impact the quantity and quality of cotton
produced.
- Women account for 84% of weeding activities.
Weeds can reduce lint yields between 10-40%
depending on weed density .26 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 27
Securing Smallholder Livelihood in
PROJECTS
The recommended income growth strategy focuses on two cotton game changers
Rainfed Maharashtra
From 2016 onward, moving beyond implementation Increased access to water enables smallholders
of BCI, IDH has been looking to make a stronger to improve crop productivity through timely
Rainfed Partially Irrigated Saturated Irrigation case across the cotton sector on platforms in India, irrigation, allows for adopting a second or third crop,
Maharashtra (provincial level), and Mozambique and diversifying livelihoods as water is available
1 High density Planting System with holistic optimization via supporting execution initiatives (national level), to create a roadmap of interventions for growing fodder to adopt livestock rearing,
Game
to address the vulnerability and resilience of horticulture, kitchen gardens, and other agri-allied
Cotton Focus
Changers
smallholders in light of agro-climatic vagaries, access activities.
2 Lint Based Marketing System with holistic optimization via farmer institution building
to water, poor yields, and ineffective public extension
mechanisms. The overall objective of the intervention In a region characterized by recurrent droughts,
Farmer
Institutions Collective Selling, Collective Purchasing, Collective Ginning
is to enhance and de-risk farmers’ livelihood by variability in rainfall, and frequencies of pest attacks,
delivering coordinated solutions to promote water crop and livelihood diversification is crucial not
Supporting Water Harvest, Insurance, IPM, Water Harv., Drip irr., Insurance, Drip Irrigation, Insurance, IPM, security and integrated livelihood opportunities for only to ensure additional incomes but moreover
Execution Seed Optimization, Soil Testing IPM, Seed Opt., Soil Testing Seed Opt., Soil Testing, Mech.
cotton farmers in Maharashtra. to ensure economic and climate resilience in the
face of increasing socio-environmental shocks and
Beyond
Cotton
Diversification Goat Farming Dairy, Sericulture, Horticulture Dairy, Sericulture, Horticulture This project invokes a public - private - civil stressors. Training on good agricultural practices
- partnership (PPCP), which aims to leverage (cotton and other crops) and agro-met advisories
complementary strengths of these key sectors: provide risk mitigation to climate variances.
The relative ranking of interventions yielded four inhibiting factors, and their potential for impact the government, private sector, non-governmental Additionally, the prevention of crop losses and
distinct groups of shortlisted interventions: Game on three key groups of farmers: Rainfed, Partially organizations (NGOs), and local communities. diversified sources of income reinforces the
This would include: investment funds from smallholder farmers’ ability to continue to cultivate
Changer, Farmer Institution, Supporting Execution, Irrigated (1-4 floods or sprinkle irrigations p.a./
the government (under MGNREGA and other cotton, preventing a shift to alternate crops or
and Diversification. Lint Based Marketing (LBM) drip irrigation with ‘some’ water access), and
schemes); operational funds from the private distress migration to urban centers, therein building
and High Density Planting (HDP) Systems were Saturated Irrigation (five or more floods or
sector (Foundations, CSR Funds); mobilization, resilience to the cotton value chain. Capacity
identified as game-changer interventions. All sprinkle irrigations p.a./drip irrigation with ‘full’
technological, and networking skills of NGOs (WOTR) development of villages’ committees creates
prioritized interventions are assessed for the water access). and co-funding and technical support from IDH; local accountability and the development and
context of implementation, supporting and and ownership, implementation, and government strengthening of local value chain linkages ensures
resources of the local communities (contributing the sustainability of the proposed climate-resilient
funds and volunteering labor). community.
Through this project, IDH aims to establish increased Additionally, this project will provide the
access to water (through watershed development opportunity for WOTR to prototype their agro-
and NRM technologies) supplemented by improved met advisory services at the village and farm
crop water efficiency and better management of level, a much more in-depth scale than the current
water as a resource (through community-based government-approved technology for district/block
organizations and water budgeting at a community level services, thus adding value to the larger crop
level), are key enabling factors for both improved advisory program that will eventually be scaled out
cotton yields and securing smallholder livelihoods. nationally.
Key Project Details
Period
Jan 2019-
Dec 2020 Farmers 6,300 Villages 30
Jalna, Ambad Block Main Cotton, horticulture,
Location crops tur, sorghum
(Maharashtra)
Implementation Partner Watershed Organization Trust28 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 29
State of Maharashtra Agribusiness and Rural Transformation
(SMART) Project
IDH in India has signed a Memorandum of farmers across 10,000 villages covering a quarter
Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra of the State by enhancing enterprise formation,
government under World Bank funded mega increasing access to markets, and promoting
project to promote sustainable agriculture – climate resilience and resource-use efficiency. This
State of Maharashtra Agribusiness and Rural will be done by creating and supporting value
Transformation (SMART). The MoU establishes chains in post-harvest segments of agriculture,
a framework of cooperation between IDH India facilitating agribusiness investment, stimulating
and the Government of Maharashtra with the goal SMEs within the value chain, supporting resilient
of facilitating the connection of farmer groups agriculture production systems, expanding access
in the state with Better Cotton Initiative and the to new and organized markets for producers, and
Sustainable Spices Initiative – India. enhancing private sector participation in these
agribusinesses.
Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis,
launched the SMART project, followed by signing IDH is engaging with the SMART Project
50 MoUs between corporations, small and medium Management Unit to provide connection with
enterprises (SMEs), and farmers’ producer groups. agri-value-chain players in the key commodity
Interventions Planned The corporate houses that have pledged support areas we work in and insight to help shape project
and signed MoUs include Amazon, Walmart, planning and design. In the future, IDH will explore
Water Management Mahindra Agri, Pepsico, Tata Rallis, Reliance Retail, partnerships under the project in the horticulture
Big Basket, Patanjali, Tata Chemical, Happy Roots, sector to build a platform for facilitating
• Watershed management structures (area treatment, check dams, desilting water structures,
Mera Kisan, and Way Cool. sustainable production and procurement in the
micro-irrigation devices)
state in line with IDH’s larger Maharashtra agenda
• Community-based water budgeting The SMART project aims to revamp agricultural
to promote domestic responsible sourcing.
value chains with special focus on marginal
Better Production
• Hyperlocal agro-met advisory services
• Training on good agricultural practices
• Demonstration plots, exposure visits, soil testing
Market Access
• Capacity building of FPOs
• Engaging market players to build value-chain linkages
Current Status
• Para agronomists: 60 selected (30 male, 30 female)
• Soil testing: 1,200 soil samples collected and tested thus far
• Watershed work: construction work on two check dams and treatment work of 50 selected areas
has begun
• Gender sensitization training of staff conducted, followed by gender analysis of project villages30 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 31
Addressing gender issues in the commodity conducted gender sensitization trainings with 19 IPs
sectors of developing economies is one of IDH’s in 30 locations across India. The trainings focused on
five impact themes for the 2016-2020 Strategic approximately 2,000 field-level workers who provide
Plan and directly relates to the fifth Sustainable extension services to over one million cotton, spice, and
Gender Training Development Goal: gender equality.
Gender equality can be a goal in itself but
grape farmers.
In the trainings, the field extension workers are made
in India also a precondition to realize deeper impact
through our ongoing interventions in other
impact themes by applying a gender lens on
aware of mainstreaming gender equality in their work,
labor division based on gender, access to resources,
decision making, gender awareness in project activities,
smallholder livelihoods, improving working and project planning for gender inclusion.
conditions and living wage, mitigating
View our video on the training here:
deforestation, and responsible agrochemical
https://www.idhsustainabletrade.com/news/increased-
management.
gender-awareness/
Gender Roles in the Indian Agricultural
Setting Workshop Objectives
- To understand the concepts of gender, gender
In India, IDH works in several agricultural roles and relations, gender needs, and impacts
sectors where women play a key role and make for increased sensitivity towards women and
a significant economic contribution. Despite men cotton farmers and workers.
the crucial role women play in agriculture in
- To understand and apply gender analysis and
India, they are generally paid less than their
planning tools for mainstreaming gender in the
male coworkers. Rural women, who work on
IDH commodity programs.
smallholder farms, often provide substantial
- To initiate gender assessment and plan to
labor as ‘unpaid’ family labor or low-paid day
integrate gender in field operations and
labor.
management systems at the project level.
Women regularly do some of the most arduous
tasks with over-representation in manual
labor such as picking and weeding. Moreover,
they face a greater risk of harassment and are
less likely to be considered for benefits and
opportunities. They face significant difficulties
In cotton farming, male farmers are
in gaining access to credit and their views may
mostly involved in decision-making work
be overlooked in decision making because of
entrenched gender bias in farming families.
such as selecting seeds, farm inputs, and
market-related activities, while the women
Gender Workshop are doing more labor-intensive work such
as weeding and cotton picking. We were
The challenges related to gender in the Indian
agricultural setting present an opportunity for
earlier training the men and women farmers
IDH to make a difference at the field level in separately based on the work they do.
promoting gender equality within its programs. After the gender sensitization training, we
Recognizing that integrating gender is a understood this gap and realized our role in
journey, IDH organized a gender awareness promoting gender equality at the field level.
program for its Implementing Partners in India We are now sensitizing all farmers about the
in the Better Cotton Growth and Innovation benefits of empowering women farmers and
Fund, Sustainable Spices Initiative – India, and are working towards providing equal access
Sustainable Grapes Initiative programs. to resources to women farmers.
Gurpreet Singh
IDH Gender Consultant, Sangita Shete,
Field Facilitator
WWF India32 | Cotton Yearbook: 2018 Cotton Yearbook: 2018 | 33
Session 1
The trainer started the session by walking the participants through the background and introducing Session 5
the field facilitators (FFs) to the workshop scope.
Integrating gender-based planning
into implementation at the field-level.
Session 2 The trainer conducted small group IDH started work on gender
tasks and assessments to make the mainstreaming as women have limited
Unpacking gender concepts through reflection and awareness. The FFs were made aware of the participants understand the concept opportunities, access to resources,
concept of gender, the difference between sex and gender, and social construction of gender of gender analysis and practice some and decision making. It is important
stereotypes through reflection exercises, discussions, and videos. This session enabled the participants basic tools for use in the project area. that there is an equal benefit of the
to share and challenge their perceptions of gender and sex stereotypes.
The tools for gender analysis and
projects that we are implementing
how to interpret the information – to men as well as women. In the
Session 3 included activity profile, daily activity Indian agricultural setting, women’s
clock, seasonal calendar, access and contribution has limited recognition
Gender roles and needs. Participants were alerted to how gender-based attitudes and behavior
control profile, and decision making as they are mostly not considered
patterns define the roles and needs of women and men via brainstorming and other activities.
over benefits. They were guided on farmers. An immediate impact of this
establishing roles of men and women training is that our field-level team is
Session 4 farmers and farmworkers on the farm now sensitized towards these issues.
and at home. Now, whenever they plan and monitor
Establishing the power and privilege dynamics. Practical
examples were given to the participants to demonstrate The participants were able to collate
their programs, they will check if they
how power and privilege define the experience of gender disaggregated data across are reaching out to both men and
empowering/disempowering men and women. domestic and farm activities and women within their projects. They will
understand the risk of excluding assess women’s contribution in the
Power Walk: This activity was conducted in two projects and working towards their
women from programs in relation to
rounds. In the first round, some participants were
their active engagement in cotton capacity building and empowerment.
given community roles and had to take positions
The sessions in the production. They were sensitized to Now there is a transformation in the
based on the power held by that role. This was
training were well- the double and triple work burdens of way they think.
followed by deconstructing concepts of gender
planned and the tools women.
discrimination, gender needs, and division of labor
based on gender. were used well to Sangita Shete
make the participants IDH Gender Consultant
understand the gender
issues in an easy manner.
The participants were
Session 6
able to strengthen their Gender assessment and gender action planning. The participants conducted a gender assessment
understanding about of their projects and initiated work on a basic gender action plan for implementation within their
gender, which would projects.
help them in identifying
In the second round, participants were given gender-related issues Through group discussions and worksheets, the participants conducted a gender assessment of their
farming or farm-related roles. This helped make the and exploring possible projects from the perspective of Gender Sensitive Policies, Gender Sensitive Systems, Structures and
participants conscious of gender challenges, such solutions. Facilities, and Gender Sensitive Beneficiary Processes and Services. Commonalities in plans by all
as the gap in access of men and women to various groups were presented and summarized by highlighting the key steps in project planning that will
resources like land, credit, extension, technology, allow a more natural and seamless integration of gender-based planning.
Hardeep
input, market, and decision making.
Farm Innovations Director, Through this exercise, the participants were made appreciative of their program principles that
The exercises helped the participants identify levels of CottonConnect address gender issues, differences between ‘gender sensitive’ and ‘gender transformative’ approaches
access, empowerement, privilege, and power between in planning, and their individual roles in implementing their gender action plans.
men and women and reasons that potentially limit
women’s equal participation in farming.You can also read
