Organic cotton is produced without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and with non-genetically modified seeds. The use of fewer synthetic pesticides leads to better working conditions and health for cotton farmers, as well as continued access to clean water and food supplies in neighbouring communities.
While organic cotton seems to be preferable to conventional cotton, organic cotton has been a subject of controversy and there have been claims of greenwashing. This is partly due to the fact that organic cotton farming can require more resources, as it can take up more time, labour and land than conventional cotton farming. Organic cotton production is not always as efficient as conventional cotton farming, and often provides lower yields.
It should be noted that conventional cotton crops are often genetically engineered in order to give higher yields. In the last 35 years, cotton yields have increased by 42% due to genetic modifications and better irrigation techniques. In order to get the same amount of fibre from organic cotton crops as conventional cotton crops, more organic crops will have to be planted, which requires more land. This extra land will also need to be tended to and possibly irrigated, requiring more labour and water.
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