Cotton: the ideal crop for reducing carbon emissions and poverty

The Better Cotton Initiative is driving sustainability among cotton farmers worldwide to ensure they can continue operating while simultaneously meeting environmental objectives. Lena Staafgard, COO of Better Cotton, and Hennie Bruwer, CEO of Cotton South Africa, spoke to Lindi Botha about the effectiveness of this international initiative at farm-level in this country.

- Lindi Botha

What impact is climate change having on South Africa’s cotton farmers?

Hennie Bruwer (HB): Ironically, we’re currently seeing, and will continue to see, an increase in the number of cotton farmers in South Africa as a result of climate change. This is because cotton can better withstand drier, hotter conditions than other crops grown here. So while we’re experiencing an increase in heat units and a shifting planting season as a result of climate change, cotton crops are not yet adversely affected.

Water is becoming a bigger issue, as South Africa is a semiarid country. No new dams have been built since 1994, and our river systems are under pressure. This will also lead us away from thirstier crops to more hectares under cotton, as is already the case. But since cotton still requires water, any reduction in what is necessary to grow a crop will ultimately be detrimental.

Lena Staafgard (LS): Climate change is putting pressure on South Africa’s water supply, leaving farmers to contend with droughts, especially in the Northern Cape. This is particularly challenging for smallholder cotton farmers, who may lack the knowledge and expertise to address these issues. Government funding and support for cotton production could help, but is limited.

Globally, research has shown that all cottongrowing regions will be affected by climate risks, predominantly through heat and water stress, but also through shortened growing seasons. Our focus, therefore, is on helping cotton farmers, especially smallholders, to build climate resilience.

How is this done in practice?