Better Cotton Production

Cotton production plays a primary role in the degradation of agro-ecosystems by the indiscriminate use of (at times banned) pesticides. In addition adverse impacts on the communities in terms of health risks (especially to women) and increase of poverty and dependence due to the high pesticides costs, and debt, are common.

Cotton has also been categorized as a water thirsty crop because of its high intake of water. It is often grown in water scarce regions such as in India and Pakistan. Local irrigation systems can be very inefficient and so lead to water logging and salinity, resulting in the degradation of freshwater ecosystems. Cotton is a high input crop in terms of irrigated area and input of fertilizers.