The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) said that the farmers who’ve adopted their BCI Standard have made measurable progress in both sustainability and income during their time as members of the organization’s farmer program. The cotton sustainability program released its first Global Impact Report in five years, drawing on field-level data from its member farmers, who represent nearly a quarter of global cotton production.

Among the report’s findings, 69 percent of BCI farmers reduced their use of synthetic nitrogen per kilogram of cotton, and 65 percent lowered their synthetic pesticide active ingredient use per hectare since joining the program. Another 54 percent lowered their carbon footprint, and 52 percent of fully irrigated farms reduced the amount of irrigation water applied per kilogram of cotton since joining BCI, with an average water reduction of 29 percent.

BCI also reported that 59 percent of smallholder farmers in BCI’s program improved their net income from cotton production. And the report also highlighted progress in women’s participation in farming, with 17 percent of field facilitation and producer unit management roles held by women. That’s nearly double the 9 percent rate of woman participation five years ago.

“Data and evidence represent the most important currency with which we operate and form the foundation for all aspects of our work—enabling us to strengthen our impact at field level and building the trust and confidence of the market and stakeholders in BCI cotton,” said Nick Weatherill, BCI CEO.

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