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Posted: July 17, 2025
The Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) has now enrolled over 100,000 farmers in its global programme. From expanding regenerative training to launching in Türkiye and boosting digital payments, OCA’s latest season reflects a growing commitment to scale organic cotton farming while improving farmer livelihoods and environmental outcomes.
The Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) has passed a major milestone this 2024–2025 season, now working with over 100,000 farmers in its Farm Programme, a critical step in growing the organic cotton supply chain worldwide. Last season, OCA partnered with over 82,000 farmers in India and Pakistan, including more than 35,000 in-conversion farmers, who earned an average of 8% above the market price. While 92% of certified organic cotton was purchased at a premium, only 58% of in-conversion cotton received the same support, highlighting a need for greater industry backing to ensure these farmers remain committed.
OCA deepened its efforts around regenerative farming by supporting 415 demonstration farms and gathering new environmental data, from water use to climate indicators. These insights help guide more targeted action and refine training programmes. One of the standout findings this year was the impact of crop diversification, an approach that boosted average farmer profits to €2,110 per hectare, 8.2% higher than conventional cotton farmers. This included gains from intercrops and rotational systems that also improve soil health and farm efficiency. Organic cotton farming practices have proven to be not only sustainable but more profitable when supported properly.
Türkiye marked a strategic expansion for OCA, where five new projects were launched with 78 farmers, bringing organic cotton efforts to the Aegean and South-Eastern Anatolia. Alongside this, OCA facilitated over €4.76 million in premium payments, 40% of which were processed digitally, streamlining financial access for farmers. Digital payments continue to be a focus for transparency and empowerment. As OCA Programme Director Ruud Schute said, real change depends on industry investment: “Farmers are the backbone of the supply chain. If we want sustainable cotton, it starts by supporting the people growing it.”
