Denim giant Levi Strauss & Co is now sourcing organic cotton directly from farmers in Pakistan as part of its membership of the Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) initiative, media reported.
Levi’s is sourcing cotton through the Pakistan-based denim mill Artistic Milliners’ Milliner Organic programme which involves 2,000 cotton farmers in the Kohlu region of Baluchistan.
The global brands say that organic cotton will make up only a small proportion of its total material but could be expanded in the future if the experiment proves successful.
Following the 2022 harvest season, cotton sourced from Milliner Organic farms and accredited by the Control Union Pakistan is flowing directly into Levi’s supply chain.
Levi’s joined the OCA last year, saying it had a responsibility to support sustainable agriculture practices as cotton was the main material in most of its products.
The Milliner Organic project, also supported by WWF-Pakistan and the government of Baluchistan, aims to promote local ownership for ethical cotton sourcing in Pakistan.
So far, it has reached 1,600 farmers who have received non-genetically modified, organic cotton seed as well as training and support to transition their farmland.
“Working with the Milliner Organic project, Levi Strauss & Co. is able to secure organic cotton directly from participating farmers who have the support they need to increase yields and provide for their families and communities,” said Jeffrey Hogue, Levi’s chief sustainability officer.
“It is through partnerships made available to us through OCA that we can work together to not only support the longevity of cotton but also make sure the way we do it best supports the communities where the cotton is being grown.”
Organic cotton farming techniques and training also help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Practices that support soil health are seen as key following the 2022 monsoon flooding in Pakistan.
“This project is special to us, as not only do we support farmers as they switch to organic cotton farming methods, but we also get to bring innovation and ingenuity to the farming communities,” said Omer Ahmed, managing director of Artistic Milliners.
“We connect all players of the supply chain to map our product’s journey from farm to fashion with blockchain-enabled traceability. This level of transparency is vital to raising the bar in collaboration and fostering strong partnerships.”
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