Organic cotton purchase at Remei India: Simon Hohmann from Switzerland is on site
With a five-year purchase guarantee for organic cotton, Remei creates continuity for cotton farmers in a dynamic market
In order to be present at the beginning of the Remei production chain for organic cotton textiles when the cotton is purchased from the local farmers, Simon Hohmann did not miss the opportunity to travel from Switzerland to Remei India in the central Indian district of Khargone to Kasrawad.
The purchase of organic cotton from smallhoders in India, which already started in October, will continue until approximately the end of the year. The harvesting phase covers a period of about 120 days. The time of sowing is different for early and late varieties, as is the time of ripening of the plants, which also depends on the weather and whether and how the plant is irrigated.
Efficient drip irrigation systems
Some of our contract farmers irrigate their crops with drip irrigation systems, a very efficient method of watering that supplies only as much water as necessary to the plant and avoids drying out and wasting excess water. A significant advantage of supplying the cotton plant with sufficient water is that growth is accelerated and the plant’s ripening phase is shortened, thus also shortening the period in which there is a risk of being attacked by the main pest.
GMO-free organic cotton directly from the farmers
From Farmer to Consumer
Even before the cotton is cleaned, i.e. the seeds are separated from the fibres and processed into bales for further transport in the ginning plant, the Remei team tests the purchased cotton from each farmer for GMO contamination to ensure that the organic raw material for further processing in Remei’s supply chains is GMO-free.
The direct cooperation and collaboration with cotton farmers according to principles of fair trading at the beginning of the production chain for organic cotton textiles and yarn, with a purchase guarantee and premium, is unique.
As a network manager of an integrated production chain from fibre to finished textile, Remei establishes a direct link for trade customers and consumers to the farmers and the origin of the raw material.
