# C&A Foundation partner with WWF India for conservation through cotton

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/10/06/ca-foundation-partner-with-wwf-india-for-conservation-through-cotton/
- Published: 2015-10-06T11:30:56+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**C&A Foundation and WWF India are working together to promote the cultivation of
organic cotton in Central India, next to the ecologically important Pench Tiger 
Reserve. **

The organisations are to combine organic agriculture with environmental conservation
to create a solution that works both for farmers and the environment. The multi-
year project will help 6,000 farmers to obtain organic certification by the end 
of 2018.

Central India is home to some of India’s largest intact forest tracts and endangered
species including tigers, barasingha and gaur. It is also home to several

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tribal communities with diverse traditional livelihoods. In recent years, cotton
production has become a primary source of income for nearly 1.6 million farmers 
in the area. The growth in unsustainable cotton farming practices threatens the 
landscape and biodiversity of the area.

Anita Chester, head of sustainable raw materials for C&A Foundation, explained the
need for the WWF India project. She said:

> “Our vision for this partnership is to maintain the ecology of the Satpuda-Pench
> corridor while enhancing the livelihoods of cotton farmers, who play such a critical
> role in the apparel industry value chain,” said . “By helping farmers go organic,
> we can minimise the degradation of soil and water quality that adversely affects
> wildlife habitats while also reducing costs and increasing yields for local cotton
> farmers.”

Dr. Sejal Worah, Program Director, WWF India, added:

> “Sustainable agriculture plays an important role in conservation. It is an important
> piece of the puzzle. When farmers manage their land sustainably, they can help
> preserve critical habitats by improving soil and water quality. This, in turn,
> enhances their agricultural productivity in the long term. In this case, promoting
> organic cotton in areas where agriculture and biodiversity interact could create
> a win-win scenario for farmers and wildlife.”

C&A Foundation and WWF are now exploring the rollout of additional farmer training
programs in areas with both high biodiversity or threatened species and high cotton
production.

 

**About C&A Foundation**

[C&A Foundation](http://www.candafoundation.org) is a private foundation affiliated
with the global clothing retailer C&A. The Foundation works to transform fashion
by helping to build an industry that respects the rights of workers, improve livelihoods
and conserve the environment.

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