Lindex is since 2008 part of the worldwide organization the
Better Cotton Initiative also known as the BCI. The main focus of
BCI is to measurably reduce the negative effects of cotton
cultivation from an environmental, financial and social
perspective, while showing the financial advantages that follow
from a resource-efficient cultivation. 98 per cent of all the
cotton produced worldwide is still grown in a conventional way.
Therefore, it is important to work to improve the large-scale
conventional cultivation.
Success and big progress for Lindex BCI cotton
farmers
A few weeks was time for this year's follow-up, when Ann Åström,
Purchasing Development Manager, once again visited Gujarat and the
farmers there, to see what has happened during this year.
Despite bad weather and earlier monsoon rain this year, the
farmers have thanks to new farming knowledge from the BCI project
been able to increase their cotton production with larger harvests
with 20-30%. This has mainly been achieved by replacing the
previous way of irrigate the cotton fields with a more
resource-efficient and targeted way - to irrigate the cotton plants
by targeted water dripping. This has lead to a reduced consumption
of water, better soil fertility, reduced working hours and more
time for family. Increased yields have also lead to a better
economy for the farmers. After they have finished their BCI
training, they receive a BCI license that allows them to sell their
cotton as BCI cotton, which benefits them since the demand of BCI
cotton is growing, says Ann Åström.
2013 Lindex have the ambition to really implement BCI cotton in
the purchases and increase the demand on the market. Lindex goal is
to at least double the numbers from 2012, and make at least 180.000
garments, maybe up to 350.000 garments. 2014 I hope that it is as
natural to buy BCI cotton as it is to buy conventional grown
cotton, says Ann Åström.
Read more about the BCI cotton here.
