CHINA

BCI Farmer, © Better Initiative 17 CHINA 3rd HARVEST HARVEST REPORT 2014

JAN DEC Sowing Harvest MAR – MAY HarvSEPest –R NOVeport - China

ChBETTERina COTTON PROJECTS GROWTHYield (Lint Cotton MT/ha) 2012 2013 2014 BCI Farmers 11%

Comparison Farmers 0%

0.0 0.5 121,000 1.0 1.5 2.0

Water (m3/ha)

BCI Farmers -16% 54,000 Comparison Farmers 53,000 0% Hebei 0K 1K 2K 3K 4K 5K 6K 7K 28,000

Shandong 27,000 15,000 6,500 6,000 3,500 Profit (per ha)

BCI FarmersBCI FarmAerreas under Better Cotton 30% Better Cotton Production Comparison Farmers 0% Cultivation (ha) (MT lint) BCI Farmers Awareness about BCI Farmers vs Compari- 0K 2K 4K 6K 8K 10K 12K ChORGANISATIONild Labour Issue s son Farmers In 2014, BCI’s Implementing PartnersPerforma nworkedce with 7,028 Pfarmersesticide organised(kg/ha) into 10 Producer Units and 9 large farms. 6,458 farmers in China earned a Better Cotton licence. Yield 11% BCI Farmers -16% 5% Low Water -16% Comparison Farmers 0% IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS PRODUCER UNITPesticide -16% 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 34% Basic Profit 30% Organic Fertiliser (kg/ha) BCI Farmers 276% Organic Fertiliser 276% 61% Comparison Farmer 0% Advanced Synthetic Fertiliser -10% 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Number of Farmers Synthetic Fertiliser (kg/ha) Collection of farmers Collection of Learning Comparison BCI Farmers BCI Farmers -10% = Learning Group Groups = Producer Unit Farmers Akesu Jintian Farm Co. LTD. 1,355 349 Comparison Farmer 0%

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

www.bettercotton.org 2014 HARVEST REPORT CHINA 3rd HARVEST HARVEST REPORT 2014

www.bettercotton.org 2014 HARVEST REPORT CHINA 3rd HARVEST HARVEST 2014

In 2014, China was the For the last three years, the Chinese government have stockpiled large quantities of world’s largest cotton with the intention of protecting farmers cotton producer and the market from international trade and fluctuating prices. This policy was terminated producing around 24% of in 2014, although the country still has upwards the world’s cotton.* of 50 million bales of cotton in reserves.* This (*source ICAC) year, in the Xinjiang province of China, the government piloted a ‘target price programme,’ with the intention of guaranteeing farmers incomes whilst moving away from stockpiling cotton. (*source ICAC)

Not only is China the world’s largest producer of cotton, it’s the world’s largest consumer of cotton too.

As a BCI manager and husband, I recognised the need to raise awareness of women’s status and influence in our community.

BCI Farmer and PU Manager in China, running training on empowering women

© Better Cotton Initiative

www.bettercotton.org 2014 HARVEST REPORT CHINA: results 3rd HARVEST

Harvest Report - China Harvest Report - China China Yield (Lint Cotton MT/ha) China Yield (LiHnt aCortvtoens MtT /Rhae) port - China BCI Farmers 11% BCI Farmers 11% China YieldYCioemldpa (r Lis(Lintionnt F Carom teCottontrosn MT/ha MT/ha)) 0% Comparison Farmers 0% BCI Farmers 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 11% 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 WCoamtepar r(ismon3 F/haram)ers 0% Water (m3/ha) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 BCI Farmers -16% Xinjiang BCI Farmers -16% Xinjiang WCoamtepar r(ismon3 F/haram)ers 0% Hebei OnCom paverage,arison Farmers BCI Farmers achieved an 11% higher yield0% than Comparison Farmers. BCI Farmers HSehbaeni dong BCI Farmers 0K 1K 2K 3K 4K 5K -166%K 7K Xinjiang used less pesticide, less synthetic fertiliser and less water for than Comparison Farmers. Shandong 0K 1K 2K 3K 4K 5K 6K 7K Comparison Farmers 0% Hebei InPr othefit (p eShandongr ha) and Hebei regions, favourable weather conditions enabled farmers to achieve Shandong Profit (per ha) 0K 1K 2K 3K 4K 5K 6K 7K greaterBC I yieldsFarmers than the previous season. However, the Xinjiang30% region suffered challenging climatic conditions,BCI Farm ewhichrs negatively affected overall yields. 30% PCroomfpita r(ipsoenr Fharam)ers 0% Comparison Farmers 0% BCI Farmers Awareness about BCI Farmers vs Compari- BHCI Faarrmverse0sK t Rep2Kort - C4K hina 6K 8K 10K 30%12K CBhCiIl dF aLrambeorusr AIswsaureesness about BsoCnI Farmers vs Compari- 0K 2K 4K 6K 8K 10K 12K PesticideComparison Far m(kg/ha)ers 0% Chilnda Labour Issues Psoenrf oFramrmanecrse YPieesldti c(iLdien t( kCgo/thtao)n MT/ha) Pesticide (kg/ha) 0K 2K 4K 6K 8K 10K 12K BCI Farmers Awareness about PBeCrIf oFramrmanecrse vs Compari- -16% Yield 11% BCI Farmers 11% 5% BCI Farmers Issues sYoienld Farmers 11% BCI Farmers -16% L5o%w Water -16% Comparison Farmers 0% Performance PCeosmtpiacriidsoen (Fkagrm/heras) 0% Low Water -16% Comparison Farmers 0% Pesticide -161% BCI Farmers 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 -162%.5 3.0 Yield 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 5% -16% 34% Pesticide 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 Low Water -16% Comparison Farmers 0% B3a4s%ic Profit 30% WOragtaenr i(cm F3e/hrtail)iser (kg/ha) Basic Pesticide -16% BCIOrga nFarmersic Fertilise r0 applied.(0kg/ha) 0.5 on average1.0 16%1.5 less2. 0pesticide2.5 active3.0 ingredient than Comparison Farmers. Profit 30% 276% BCI Farmers -16% 34% Some areas in Xinjiang suffered from pest pressure near river banks as a result of sand storms. Xinjiang Organic Fertiliser 276% BCI Farmers 276% Basic 61% Comparison Farmer 0% Profit 30% OCrogmapnariicso Fn eFratrmiliesrser (kg/ha) 0% Advanced Organic Fertiliser 2-7160% Overall, BCI Farmers were able to use their experience to limit pesticide use. 61% Synthetic FeHretibliesier Comparison Farmer 0% Advanced -10% BCI Farmers 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1267060% Synthetic FerStihliasnedrong 0K 1K 2K 3K 4K 5K 6K 7K Organic Fertiliser 276% 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 61% Number of Farmers SyCnomthpeartiisco nF Fearrmtileirser (kg/ha) 0% Advanced Synthetic Fertiliser -10% SynthethicProfit (per ha) Fertiliser (kg/ha) Number of FarmCeormsparison Synthetic Fertilise0r (kg2/h00a) 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 BCI Farmers BCI Farmers -10% ComFpaarrmiseorns BCI Farmers 30% BCI Farmers BCI Farmers -10% Number 1o,3f5 5FarmerFsarm3e4r9s Synthetic Fertiliser (kg/ha) 0% 1,355 349 CCoommppaarirsisoonn F Faarmrmeersr 0% Comparison Comparison Farmer BCI Farmers BCI Farmers -10% Farmers 0K 2K 4K 6K 8K 10K 12K BCI Farmers Awareness about BCI Farmers vs Compari- 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 Child Labour Issues son Farm1,e35r5s 349 0% Performance PeCsomtipcairdiseo n( kFgar/mhear)

Yield 11% BCI FarmersBCI Farmer sused0 2on00 average400 6 10%00 8less00 synthetic1000 1200 fertiliser-1460%0 1than600 Comparison Farmers, but overall achieved 5% a higher yield. This suggests a growing ability among BCI Farmers to optimise their use of inputs. Low Water -16% Comparison Farmers 0%

Pesticide -16% 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 34% Basic Organic Fertiliser (kg/ha) Profit 30% Organic Fertiliser (kg/ha) BCI Farmers 276% Organic Fertiliser 276% 61% Comparison Farmer 0% Advanced Synthetic Fertiliser -10% 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Number of Farmers Synthetic Fertiliser (kg/ha) Comparison Organic fertiliser use increased among cotton farmers in China in 2014. The use of organic fertiliser is BCI Farmers -10% Farmers primarilyBCI F anotedrmers in the Xinjiang region. There, BCI Farmers showed greater awareness of the benefits of 1,355 349 organicCompariso nfertiliser Farmer and, in addition, received government subsidies0% that made its use cost competitive. In the other regions, however, the high price of organic fertiliser relative to synthetic remained a barrier to use. 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

www.bettercotton.org 2014 HARVEST REPORT CHINA: results 3rd HARVEST

Harvest Report - China

China Yield (Lint Cotton MT/ha)

BCI Farmers 11%

Comparison Farmers 0%

Harve0s.0t Repo0.5rt - Chin1.0a 1.5 2.0 3 WaterWater (m (m3/ha/ha)) China Yield (Lint Cotton MT/ha) BCI Farmers -16% Xinjiang BCI Farmers 11% Comparison Farmers 0% Hebei Comparison Farmers 0% Shandong 0K 1K 2K 3K 4K 5K 6K 7K 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Profit (per ha) BCIWate rFarmers (m3/ha) reported using on average 16% less water for irrigation than Comparison Farmers. BCI Farmers 30% WaterB CefficiencyI Farmers gains were primarily noted in the- 16Xinjiang% region, where the majority of BCI Farmers Xinjiang Comparison Farmers 0% adoptedComparison F adriprmers irrigation practices. 0% Hebei BCI Farmers Awareness about BCI Farmers vs Compari- 0K 2K 4K 6K 8K 10K 12K Shandong 0K 1K 2K 3K 4K 5K 6K 7K Child Labour Issues son Farmers Performance Pesticide (kg/ha) ProfitProfit (p e(perr ha) ha) Yield 11% BCI Farmers -16% 5% BCI Farmers 30% Low Water -16% Comparison Farmers 0% Comparison Farmers 0% Pesticide -16% 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 0K 2K 4K 6K 8K 10K 12K B34C%I Farmers Awareness about BCI Farmers vs Compari- CBahsicld Labour Issues son Farmers Profit 30% Organic Fertiliser (kg/ha) Performance Pesticide (kg/ha) AmongBC Ismallholders, Farmers BCI Farmers reported on average 30%276% higher profits than Comparison Farmers. Yield 11% BCI Farmers -16% 5% Organic Fertiliser 276% 61% ThroughComparison FBCIarmer training, many0% BCI Farmers throughout China managed to both reduce inputs (water, Low Advanced SWyantethretic Fertiliser --106% fertiliserComparison Fandarmers pesticides) and increase yields, resulting in hi0%gher profits. 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 Pesticide -16% 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 34% Number of Farmers Synthetic Fertiliser (kg/ha) Basic Organic Fertiliser (kg/ha) Profit Compari3s0o%n BCI Farmers Awareness of Child Labour Issues -10% 5% Farmers BCI Farmers BCI Farmers 276% Low 1,355 349 Organic Fertiliser 276% 61% AllCo mfarmersparison Farm erlicensed to sell0% Better Cotton are trained 0and% Advanced Synthetic Fertiliser -10% obligated to understand what constitutes unacceptable and 0 200 440000 600 880000 11000000 11220000 11440000 11660000 acceptable forms of child work, as well as the importance of Number of Farmers Synthetic Fertiliser (kg/ha) 34% 61% education and ensuring the well-being of children in cotton- Basic Advanced Comparison BCI Farmers -10% Farmers producingBCI Far mcommunities.ers The majority of BCI Farmers in China 1,355 349 demonstrated an advanced awareness regarding child labour. Comparison Farmer 0%

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 China Mali

SUMMARY OF RESULTS FOR SMALLHOLDER AND MEDIUM FARMS IN CHINA BCI FARMERS AGAINST COMPARISON FARMERS

Yield 11% Pesticide Use 16% The results presented here were calculated based on Synthetic Fertiliser Use 10% data from 1,355 BCI Farmers and 349 Comparison Farmers. Some data was excluded from the analysis Organic Fertiliser Use 276% because no comparison data was available for one Water Use 16% large farm. The results shown here are representative Profit 30% of 99.98% of BCI Farmers in China.

www.bettercotton.org 2014 HARVEST REPORT