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05
The Cotton Thread That Binds – From Farm to Fashion
Realising the promise of organic cotton demands united, cross-sector action. At OCA, we know that no single actor can transform the system alone. It is through the collaboration and commitment of our diverse network of Contributors and partners that we unlock the true potential of organic cotton—from farm to fashion. In 2024 our focus remained on uniting the sector aligning stakeholder efforts, exchanging knowledge, and driving real change. From initiating our policy engagement, growing our community and hosting key stakeholder events, 2024 was a year of connection and consolidation.
A growing community for sector alignment
OCA’s expanding Contributor base demonstrates the sector’s increasing recognition of our role in aligning efforts and raising the bar for organic integrity. In 2024, we welcomed new organisations to our platform, reaching a total of 60 Contributors and Partnering Seed Producers. This growth included a balanced mix of suppliers and manufacturers, brands and retailers, and civil society organisations, reflecting OCA’s commitment to inclusive and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Hear from our Contributors
Strengthening global engagement and knowledge exchange
In 2024, we hosted key regional stakeholder events in Türkiye and India, aimed at deepening local engagement and strengthening regional collaboration. These events brought together dozens of representatives from brands, retailers, suppliers, manufacturers, farm groups and civil society organisations from across the organic cotton value chain to share insights, align on regional challenges, and explore opportunities for scaling organic production in each country. Discussions focused on the realities of organic cotton farming in each region, the support needed for scaling organic cotton, and how local innovation can be matched with global market demand. These gatherings were an important step towards anchoring OCA’s global mission in the regional contexts where change must happen.
OCA in key sector initiatives
In 2024, OCA maintained a strong presence at key industry events, including Bharat Tex in New Delhi, where we engaged with policymakers, brands, and supply chain actors to spotlight the role of organic cotton in India’s textile future. Throughout the year, we also contributed to other influential forums such as the Innovation Forum and the Textile Exchange Conference, reinforcing our commitment to sector-wide collaboration. Additionally, OCA proudly supported GOTS’ Behind the Seams campaign, lending our voice to raise awareness around the value and credibility of certified organic textiles. These platforms continue to be vital for sharing our work, advocating for farmer-centric approaches, and aligning efforts across the value chain.
Field experience: grounding strategy in reality
Throughout the year, we welcomed several of our Contributors and donors to the field to experience OCA’s impact on the ground. We hosted six farm visits in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, India, which offered immersive insights into the realities of organic farming and community-led innovations such as bio-input production centres.
By bringing Contributors and donors into dialogue on-site, these visits fostered a deeper understanding of the transition to organic and strengthened trust in our community.
Positioning organic cotton in the policy agenda
A key milestone in 2024 was the development of OCA’s Public Affairs function. This involved building the internal team, governance, and processes; developing supporting tools and resources; and organising info sessions to engage policymakers—with a focus on the EU and India.
Throughout the year, OCA introduced itself to policymakers, published position papers, participated in stakeholder consultations at the EU level (on the ESPR and Textile Labelling Regulation), joined the Policy Hub’s Advisory Group, and began forming policy coalitions. We also closely followed the Green Claims Directive and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.
To ensure farmers’ voices are reflected in future regulations, OCA has initiated collaborations with key organisations advocating for organic cotton and sustainable agriculture—including GOTS, Textile Exchange, IFOAM Organics Europe, the Fair Trade Advocacy Office, Solidaridad, Better Cotton, and others.
Looking ahead, OCA will build up its policy engagement in India, Pakistan, Türkiye, and other consumer markets, and supporting the implementation of EU legislation. Our overarching goal is to create an enabling environment where organic farmers are recognised as essential contributors to sustainable textiles.
