BCI good cotton initiative standard interpretation

发布时间:2015-03-27    发布者:     1691 次浏览
BCI, the full name of bettor cotton initiative, refers to the good cotton initiative. Its main purpose is to make the global cotton planting more beneficial to cotton farmers, the planting environment and the future development of the industry. At present, it has been widely used by IKEA, h& M. UNIQLO and other internationally renowned enterprises have recognized and respected, and more and more textile enterprises in China have joined this public welfare cause< br />

Formation of the concept of good cotton

Cotton has been one of the most important and widely used plants in the world since ancient times. In some poor countries around the world, cotton is even the economic source for millions of people to survive. However, due to inefficient irrigation technology, poor planting methods, improper use of pesticides and fertilizers in poor areas, it has caused a variety of human and environmental disasters such as destruction of water resources, soil fertility, human health and biodiversity, affecting the sustainable development of the industry< br />
Since the 1997 Cotton Conference, sustainable development has become the guiding topic of various industry conferences, and the sustainable development of cotton has been gradually mentioned< br />
The strategic approach of BCI is to cultivate and develop “ Better cotton ” The market of this mainstream commodity focuses on reducing the major negative impacts on the global environment, society and economy, and bringing long-term benefits to cotton farmers, employees, cotton farmers and the environment. This includes: minimizing the harmful effects of crop protection measures, effectively using water resources, caring for soil health, protecting the living environment, caring for and protecting fiber quality, promoting decent work for cotton farmers, and effectively participating in all links of the cotton supply chain, so that cotton farmers can grow and sell “ Good cotton ”, Meet the market demand for “ Good cotton ” Through establishing effective cotton production organization, improving financing channels, providing training and other better farm management methods to develop “ Good cotton ”, It should increase productivity and improve the economic situation of cotton farmers and farm workers< br />

Composition and membership of international good cotton institutions

Since 2006, under the advocacy of international institutions, enterprises, research institutions and academic institutions have jointly carried out a series of discussions on the sustainable development of cotton. After several years of efforts, more than 40 member units and international organizations have formed the international organization of good cotton. The headquarters of the organization is currently set up in Geneva, Switzerland< br />
BCI is a non-profit membership association, which is open to any organization that participates in or is interested in participating in BCI activities, the cotton supply chain, and supporting BCI's mission. More than 40 member units include all aspects of the cotton industry, including cotton producers, processors, traders, textile mills, retailers, etc. Of course, the good cotton organization is also supported by international institutions< br />

How to achieve good cotton production< br />

Cotton international organization and experts have developed a set of production principles and standards, including 6 principles and 44 standards< br />
The first principle: quality assurance< br />
For example, the initiative for integrated pest control, the prohibition of the use of pesticides under Stockholm, and the training of farmers and women in the process of pesticide spraying, health protection and other indicators< br />
The second principle: water resources< br />
It refers to the effective utilization of water resources and water source protection. Although cotton is a drought tolerant crop, it is widely planted in arid areas. How to make more effective use of water resources is a topic. Good cotton organizations appreciate the drip irrigation technology that is being vigorously promoted in China< br />
The third and fourth principles: the health of cotton planting soil and the protection of ecological environment in the surrounding areas of cotton planting< br />
The fifth principle: the quality of cotton. China's cotton industry is also facing the problem of cotton quality< br />
The sixth principle: decent work. Decent work refers to protecting the interests of cotton farmers, promoting them to have sufficient income and fully receive social security< br />
How to produce according to the six principles? The good cotton organization is promoting the standard of good cotton through effective project cooperation with project implementers around the country. For example, provide corresponding training for cotton farmers so that they can master good cotton production procedures and carry out field production and management according to the procedures. In addition, we should really organize farmers together to promote relevant standards more effectively< br />
The good cotton organization also formulated a series of indicators to determine whether the production of cotton meets the production requirements of good cotton. These indicators include field records of production links, such as cotton planting area, yield, variety, quality, etc., as well as agricultural inputs in agricultural operations, such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, water consumption, etc., and of course, the situation of employees, reflecting the requirements of decent work< br />

Achievements of good cotton projects in various countries

First of all, India and Pakistan have obvious water conservation in terms of water resources. The use of chemical fertilizers decreased by 16% in India and 38% in Pakistan. Pesticides and pesticides are the most important agricultural inputs in the process of agricultural operation. You can clearly see that they have been significantly reduced in Pakistan, India and Mali. It is worth mentioning that the reduction of agricultural input has not reduced the yield of cotton, with an increase of 25% in Mali. It is also due to the reduction of production inputIn the absence of market bargaining, farmers' income has increased significantly, especially in Mali, where 49% of farmers have increased their income< br />

Market demand for good cotton

The promotion of any product is inseparable from the market demand, h& M、IKEA、LEVI" S has a very clear business goal for the next five to ten years, that is, the source of cotton is either from good cotton production, or from similar sustainable cotton production standards. Of course, this is only a part of the representative cases of enterprises. All more than 40 good cotton member units currently represent 5% of the global cotton market demand, that is, the market demand of nearly onemillion tons of good cotton. Relevant enterprises have received orders for good cotton from buyers in the international market or asked about the development of good cotton in China< br />

Good cotton should receive strong support

Good cotton certainly needs the support of all parties in the industry, because good cotton improves the production level and income for farmers, provides good quality cotton for processing enterprises, and produces more responsible products. For retailers, it meets the needs of the market and customers. Of course, good cotton also needs the support of all parties around the world. At present, good cotton only carries out relevant work in Pakistan, India, Mali and Brazil< br />
China plays an important role in the international strategy of good cotton. China is the largest cotton producer and importer, as well as the largest textile processing and exporting country. Then the production of cotton in China also has a great impact on society and the environment. Therefore, China has become an important member of the good cotton strategy< br />
Since 2009, the Dutch horzon foundation has started the design of good cotton together with international brands. With the support of the agricultural research center of the Ministry of agriculture, a national technical team has been established, including representatives of enterprises, including experts from research institutions, to jointly discuss how to carry out good cotton projects in China. In 2010, an industrial report was jointly completed with the agricultural research center of the Ministry of agriculture, which analyzed the industrial policies and stakeholders of cotton, and also put forward project suggestions for the future good cotton in China< br />
In 2011, good cotton officially launched a field demonstration in China. In addition to providing corresponding training to farmers, experts in quality assurance, water resources management, market decent work and other aspects will also be organized to provide more technical services to farmers. At the same time, it will also support the project partners to establish a production record system according to the requirements of good cotton. in additionIt is also hoped that the project can establish a platform for enterprises and producers.