Clean India up close
An inside view of the process of our supplier and the India cotton farmers
We received a special invitation: supplier Dibella asked Nicolet, our purchase manager, to come and take a look in India. Where tourists rush to see the Taj Mahal, Nicolet visited factories and cotton plantations to see the processes and developments at the supplier of our Pure Eco line. We at Blycolin feel it is important to know how the chain operates, even when it is all the way in India.
Chetna project: sustainable products, processes and relationships
Have you ever heard of Chetna before? You probably have, because we like to talk about it. In short: this project ensures that farmers use good quality cotton seeds that produce good quality cotton and sustainable cotton seeds. The farmers receive an honest price for their harvest. Also, they can be granted a favorable loan by Chetna to set up their business. The project also supports the village community, for instance by providing schooling for children Together with Dibella and Lamme Textielbeheer, we have been taking part in this project as purchaser and partner for years.
On the way to the Hydrabat headquarters
As a partner, we are well informed of the developments of our suppliers, but to see this one particular supplier with our own eyes is rather special. So Nicolet got on a plane last December. ‘From our hotel, we went straight to our first meeting. Traveling through traffic, a madhouse, took five hours. We arrived at the headquarters of Chetna, that buys cotton from farmers at a fair price. They also support the farmers with education and coordinate the joint purchasing of goods. After the visit, we went to the village, which has completely transferred to organic cotton. We also got to pick some cotton ourselves, with an apron with pockets and a little hat on to protect your hair and the cotton.’
CHETNA PROJECT: SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS, PROCESSES AND RELATIONSHIPS
Stepping ahead in organic agriculture
‘We also visited a village that joined the cooperation ten years ago. You could tell that they had been at it for a longer period of time; they want to expand, take new steps. The cotton field was beautiful, with lots of high plants and many white bolls. It was rather impressive to be able to talk to the village people about their challenges, for instance in terms of water. There is barely any water which complicates crop growth and harvest. After the plantation, we visited a new field office. This is where they learn people transferring to organic farming how they should farm. Two years ago, they did this in a wooden shack, now there is a proper building with two halls and an outside space.’ Nicolet saw with her own eyes that Chetna invests in the skills of the farmers and in expanding organic farming on the whole.
School visit: developments in education
Everything Chetna does is aimed at a better future or people and the environment. As the future is in the hands of the young, Chetna also invests in a better education or the children of the farmers and factory workers. Nicolet: ‘We went to a school that we support with our project. The girls performed a dance show and we danced along. We could see what was built with our support. For instance, all sanitary provisions had been renovated.