Organic cotton goes abroad

Apna organic cotton is going places. From Surendranagar and Kutch districts of Gujarat, it’s turned out to be one fab find that’s ...

Apna organic cotton is going places. From Surendranagar and Kutch districts of Gujarat, it’s turned out to be one fab find that’s available at Marks & Spencer, Adidas, Nike, Reebok and Gossypium outlets across the globe.

It was in 1997 that Agro Cell Industries Ltd tied up with Gujarat Agro Industries Cooperative Ltd (a state government undertaking) to produce organic cotton. While Gujarat Agro has 11 per cent share holding, it is the Shroff Group of Companies that are 89 per cent share owners.

‘‘It was difficult to convince farmers to stop using chemicals and go back to neem oil and cow dung.Though the difference in the cost of producing organic cotton and ordinary cotton is not much, it is the patience and skills required to grow organic crops that discourages farmers,’’ recollects Dipesh Shroff, director of Agro Cell.

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Hesitant to grow organic cotton, farmers now admit the initiative has brought them stability and promising returns. It is binding for the Agro Cell to purchase the crop from these farmers but the farmers are free to sell it to anyone.

‘‘But why will we sell it to anyone else? The Agro Cell gives us the cost price and also 8 per cent premium for producing organic cotton,’’ says Agaji Lali, a farmer.

Says G. Augustine of Marks & Spencer: ‘‘Our range of organic clothes are imported from Gujarat and Mumbai. We have worked with Agro Cell Industries and our customers are also satisfied with their quality.’’