Regenerative Organic Cotton crop

The Regenerative
Organic Cotton Pilot Project

In order to help reverse climate change and make a positive impact, we are co-creating with WWF the first regenerative organic cotton farm in Turkey.

Why

The modern agricultural system is broken.

Areas of land all over our earth have been eroded and destroyed from monocultural farming and by harmful agricultural practices like deep-tilling and excessive chemical use. These practices have left areas barren, waterways polluted, and communities in danger.

It’s also contributing to climate change, as areas of land that once drew down carbon from our atmosphere are now releasing more carbon than they store. Together, we can take action against climate change by implementing more responsible agricultural practices.

Follow our progress
Damaged soil quality
Fig. 1 Damaged soil quality
Dried-out waterways
Fig. 2 Dried-out waterways
Extensive pesticide use
Fig. 3 Extensive pesticide use
Dried-out cotton field
Fig. 4 Dried-out cotton field
Non-usable cotton harvest
Fig. 5 Non-usable cotton harvest
How

How does regenerative farming work?

Here’s a quick overview of how regenerative farming works. By adopting these measures, we can support the development of healthy soil and waterways.

Plant Cover Crops
Plant Cover Crops

Protecting the soil by planting cover crops increases organic matter in the soil and enables better water management. When the soil is healthy, more carbon can be drawn down from the atmosphere.

No Deep Tilling
No Deep Tilling

Deep tilling disturbs soil structure and microbial growth. Over time, this can completely destroy soil quality, which results in fewer amounts of carbon being drawn down from the atmosphere.

Compost Systems
Compost Systems

Increasing the population, diversity and protection of microbiomes in the soil can also be achieved by developing smart compost systems, resulting in better soil health and carbon drawdown from the atmosphere.

Plant Perennials
Plant Perennials

By planting perennials, otherwise known as plants that won't be harvested annually, the roots will have a chance to establish themselves, microbial activity in the soil will increase, and this will result in better carbon drawdown.

Integrated Pest Management Systems
Integrated Pest Management Systems

Eliminating or reducing the use of pesticides can be done by integrating other forms of pest management systems, enabling better soil health.

How

Let’s change the way cotton is grown.

Regenerative farming uses a holistic set of practices to improve the quality of the soil and the nature around it. It’s rooted in a traditional and indigenous approach, where healthier practices like no deep-tilling, perennial and cover crop planting, integrated pest management and composting are given priority over a short term yield.

By prioritizing these practices the soil and water provides a healthier, longer-term farming solution, and an area of land that can draw down carbon from our atmosphere.

Freshly harvested cotton
Fig. 1 Freshly harvested cotton
A look at healthy regenerative cotton plants
Fig. 2 A look at healthy regenerative cotton plants
Gökçe from WWF® Turkey inspecting a cotton branch
Fig. 3 Gökçe from WWF® Turkey inspecting a cotton branch
Ali at his farm in Turkey
Fig. 4 Ali at his farm in Turkey
Cotton quality ready for harvest at Ali's farm
Fig. 5 Cotton quality ready for harvest at Ali's farm
Where

Germencik, Turkey

The project will take place just outside the town of Germencik, Turkey. It’s a 78 ha piece of land growing organic cotton and Alfa Alfa, a perennial plant grown for animal feed and known for its ability to enrich nitrogen content in the soil.

The farm is leased by Ali, an organic cotton farmer selling his crop to the cotton trading company, Akasya Tarım. Ali will begin by converting 3 ha of cotton farmland into regenerative farming practices.

Germencik, Turkey
Watch

Q&A w. Gökçe
from WWF® Turkey

About Regenerative
Organic Cotton