BCI 2030 & Cotton Beyond Covid-19 WTO 33rd Round of Consultations on Cotton and Development (DGCFMC) Alan McClay, BCI CEO 30 July 2020 Mission Aim OUR MISSION AND AIM BCI exists to make global BCI aims to transform cotton cotton production better for production worldwide by the people who produce it, developing Better Cotton as better for the environment a sustainable mainstream in which it’s grown and commodity. better for the sector’s future. © ABRAPA BCI Global Reach 2018-19 COTTON SEASON Better Cotton Initiative 3 BCI Farmers Around the World 2018-19 COTTON SEASON Better Cotton Initiative 4 Volumes of Better Cotton Grown 2018-19 COTTON SEASON Better Cotton Initiative 5 BCI GLOBAL MEMBERSHIP 2000 1,952 Members as of 04 June 2020 1842 1800 Suppliers & Manufacturers 1600 1431 1400 Associate Members 1205 1200 Civil Society 986 1000 Producer Organizations 800 706 Retailers and Brands 600 468 400 313 197 Plus 7,000 Better Cotton 200 110 Platform Users, in addition 48 to membership 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Better Cotton Initiative 6 BETTER COTTON PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA …enhance biodiversity …minimise the harmful impact of crop protection practices …care for and preserve …promote water the quality of fibre stewardship …care for the health of the …promote decent soil work …operate an effective management system THE ROLE OF THE GROWTH AND INNOVATION FUND directly BCI’s Impact on Farmer’s Daily Lives Better Cotton Initiative 9 FEMALE FARMER BECOMES A ROLE MODEL IN PAKISTANI COTTON COMMUNITY “I train 400 BCI Farmers, as well as supporting other cotton farmers outside of the BCI programme. I also give talks to girls in schools letting them know that cotton farming could be a viable future for them. –BCI Farmer Almas Parveen. Punjab, Pakistan, 2018. A FARMER’S JOURNEY TO RAISING YIELDS AND SAVING WATER IN MOZAMBIQUE “To conserve as much rainwater as possible and prevent soil erosion, I have built contours [heaped piles of soil] along each row of cotton to act as barriers, helping to reduce water run-off and make the most of this precious resource. — BCI Farmer Manuel Maussene. Nampula, Mozambique, 2018. [Insert image here. Right and select ‘send to back’. Then click here and delete grey placeholder boxes] BCI 2030 Strategy Better Cotton Initiative 13 LOOKING FORWARD: 2030 We are currently working on our 2020-2030 strategy BCI is still looking to achieve market transformation We are looking at a more farmer centric approach improving capacity in cotton farming practices and thereby improving livelihoods In order to reach more farmers, we require investment not only from retailers and brands but also from governments Governments who have funded either the Secretariat or the GIF include: SIDA, USAID, SDC (Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation) Australia Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), Netherlands Ministry for Foreign Affairs, IDH We still have many more farmers to reach Join us! BCI 2030 Strategy Vision A world where all cotton farming is sustainable. Mission To help cotton communities to survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment. Drive global demand for Aims Enhance well-being & economic Embed sustainable farming sustainable cotton through the development practices & policies supply chain Cotton farming is economically viable for On cotton farms, the soil is healthy. Water, Better Cotton is the preferred choice for Impacts farmers and their communities, with good land resources & inputs are managed for the both growers & buyers. social conditions & decent quality of life. good of both local communities & the planet. Approach Creating new value Building local capacity Scaling Better Cotton & opportunities for farmers & self-sufficiency production & procurement Impact driven | Farmer centric | Multi-stakeholder ethos | Continuous improvement & learning | System integrity & Principles evidence | Global direction, devolved local action | Pricing determined by the market BCI Management of Covid-19 Better CottonInitiative 16 COVID-19 - FIELD OPERATIONS Production status and impact: • Some impact expected on production, however aiming to maintain production levels from 2019 • Fundraising efforts • Field level working group • Support to farmers on Covid response Better Cotton Initiative 17 IPs support to farming communities Leverage on BCI’s vast network and close interaction with villages, farmers and farm workers ©WWF Pakistan Women Field Facilitator delivering ©REEDS distributed PPEs and ration © SWRDO FF delivering training to farmers / training to women farmers and workers among community, Pakistan Pakistan. ©Mask and information material distribution by ACF in Maharashtra, India © Lupin Foundation masks distribution to farmers / Maharashtra, India. Better Cotton Initiative 18 COVID-19 – UPTAKE AND THE MARKET Uptake status and impact: • Seeing a moderate downturn in RB uptake, however less of a downturn in spinner uptake • Support for members – payment terms extended, BCCU transfer deadlines extended, Covid hub, online training Better Cotton Initiative 19 BCI Covid-19 Hub bettercotton.org/covid-19-hub/ BCI post-Covid Long term impact on BCI • Sustainability ever more significant • Strength of BCI’s network BCI response • Remain flexible with the new constraints • Prioritisation of online learning systems and content for farmers • Remote assurance process • Hybrid membership engagement (online and in-person) Better Cotton Initiative 21 Thank you.