Better Cotton, an organization committed to growing cotton more sustainably around the world, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tajik Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen the partnership between the two and further promote the production of more sustainable cotton in the Central Asian country. The MoU was signed at the Tajikistan Investment and Development Forum in London this week.
As part of the enhanced cooperation, the two parties will focus on expanding more sustainable cotton production, taking into account both environmental and social aspects. The main focus is on improving the quality of cotton fibers, the well-being of workers and the general sustainability of agriculture.
Better Cotton and the Ministry now want to develop a strategic roadmap for more sustainable cotton production in Tajikistan that corresponds to the Better Cotton Standard System and takes into account the requirements of the world market. In addition, nationwide information and awareness-raising measures are carried out to promote the advantages of more sustainable cultivation methods.
Financial resources are fundamental to this change. Better Cotton will therefore work with the Department to identify new sources of funding and investment that may open up new opportunities for the country’s cotton sector.
The program is already being tested in Tajikistan and has already shown results. In the 2019-2020 season, Better Cotton farmers used synthetic fertilizers 62 percent lower than their peers, while yields were 15 percent higher.
Better Cotton launched a program with Uzbekistan, the sixth largest cotton producer in the world, in December.