Conducting studies in order to reduce external dependency of the Turkish industrialists in terms of sustainable cotton by producing “Better Cotton” licensed cotton, which has become increasingly important in the world in relation to sustainable cotton production, in Turkey and making Turkish cotton production sustainable in environmental, economic and social terms, Association for Good Cotton Practices (IPUD) opened applications for Manufacturing Units and Farmers who want to make Better Cotton licensed cotton production in 2015 season. Ensuring that 34 thousand tons of Better Cotton licensed unginned cotton were produced in 2013-2014 with 280 farmers, IPUD made around 60 thousand tons of licensed unginned cotton produced with 534 farmers in 2014-2015 season.
“We Strive at Obtaining Better Cotton”
In relation to this issue, Leon Piçon, Chairman of the Executive Board of IPUD, said that IPUD makes Better Cotton production in cooperation with the local institutions which have experience in working with the farmers and are aware of the problems with respect to cotton production in their respective regions. Stating that these institutions are called manufacturing units, Piçon added that these units are held responsible for local organisation, training, following and reporting in line with the Better Cotton Standard System with the support of IPUD. Inviting the institutions that are willing to contribute to the transformation of the Turkish cotton production into sustainability to make applications to be Better Cotton Manufacturing Units and Farmers, Piçon emphasized that a wide range of institutions from carding enterprises to commodity exchange markets, from yarn enterprises to farmer associations could take part in this process.
Sustainability is Important for Everybody
Reminding that IPUD, which ensured that “Better Cotton” production is made in Turkey following the negotiations launched in 2011 with Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) that has an ever-increasing recognition in terms of sustainable cotton and operates in many countries from Mali to India, was established in 2013, Piçon stated that: “IPUD aims at promoting the cotton production and textile sector in Turkey from cotton farmers to tradesmen, from yarn manufacturers to textile industrialists in terms of sustainability. The objective of IPUD is the betterment of cotton production in Turkey for the sake of those manufacturing cotton, of the environment where cotton is manufactured and of the future of the sector.”
Having 47 members in the 2014-2015 season, the association targets to increase the number of its members to 60. Gathering numerous individuals and organisations including carding enterprises, cotton manufacturers, cotton suppliers, textile and garment enterprises, retail chains and brands as well as all non-governmental organisations that may contribute to the activities of the association, IPUD invites all individuals and organisations engaged in cotton production and trade and all textile related works to become members of IPUD.
