When we started ‘be natural’ we naively thought that with an increase in demand for organic cotton, more Gujarati farmers would be automatically be persuaded to grow organic for us. Unfortunately this hasn’t been the case and time, we are now being told, is running out with respect to the climate and earth’s ressources.
The Farmers Plight
We are all now fully aware of how the rural Indian farmer were lured into a false promises of better crops and more profit through GMO seeds and pesticides. Often bringing them so much debt and insecurities resulting in suicides. We have been speaking to some of these farmers in Gujarat and have come to understand their plight to return organic.
Most of their concerns are not only for the three year span of no pesticides to have your first organic crop. They are also concerned for the approximate following seven years it takes to yield the same crop. How will they manage for the next 10 years? How will they feed their families? How will they pay their present debts to the companies?
The Earths Plight
Environmental Scientist believe we only have twelve years
to reverse a climate disaster. So if we don’t do something now we will reach the point of no return. So instead of encouraging you to consume more we feel we need to act at the root of the problem and help the farmer.
Pun intended!
What is available to us
Our biggest asset is Samatbhai. He alone decided to return organic 15 years ago. At that time he travelled all of India in search of organic indigenous seeds. All this time he has been experimenting cross pollenating different cotton plants to create strong resistant seeds. He has learnt a great deal about bio diversity and is ready to share his knowledge and experience with any cotton farmer willing to make the change.
During the transition period he grew wheat and as he says it doesn’t pay well so can not be viable to all. We are also wondering if flak or hemp would grow and would there be a demand for their many uses. After all no one ever enquires whether linen or hemp is organic. They both are fast growing and demand little water. We believe it’s something that would be worthwhile researching.
How?
We are thinking of creating a crowd funding in 2020. So please follow our brand if you would like to be involved.
An average cotton farmers earns $3,80 a day and there are approximately 3 million cotton farmers in Gujarat alone. Half of what has been raised for the Notre Dame cathedral could ensure all 3 million cotton farmers their $3,80 a day for the 10 years…….
If a burnt out cathedr
al can raise a billion in days to be rebuilt how long will it take for us the to raise a few hundred thousand which can go towards helping some of the farmers now. We believe there is no point in waiting for the Governments to bring their future dates forward. We need to act now if the Notre Dame cathedral is to have a planet to sit upon and a population to visit it.
After all there is only one planet earth and on that earth there are more of us with open hearts than there are of those full of their own importance.