On 30th November Helvetas and the research institute of organic agriculture (FiBL) held their joint symposium on organic cotton. Various speakers presented the success story of Swiss organic cotton projects and discussed insights gained while setting up and managing an integrated value chain.

Opening:

• Lukas Kilcher, head international cooperation, FiBL
• Urs Heierli, moderator, msd consulting
  (introductory presentation pdf, 280kb)

Presentations:

• Kathrin Rapp Schürmann, head competence brands VIVA, Coop
  „How to reach the customer with organic textiles? – 10 years of experience to satisfy market needs”
  (presentation pdf, 30kb)

Organic cotton for poverty alleviation? – Results of recent studies:

•  Frank Eyhorn, international cooperation, FiBL
  “Comparison study Maikaal, India” (link to fibl-webpage)
• Christof Dietler, dietler clavadetscher gmbh
  „Project evaluation Mali" (presentation pdf, 32kb)

Facilitating Organic Cotton Production:

•  Tushaar Shah, professor, IMWI
  “Social impact of technical innovations"
  (presentation pdf, 1.3mb)
• Frank Eyhorn, international cooperation, FiBL
  „Key factors in dissemination and extension tools“
  (presentation pdf, 1.6mb)
• Franck Merceron, project manager organic cotton project, Helvetas Mali
  “Constraints and challenges of manure production and crop rotation in West Africa” (presentation pdf, 1,2mb)

The Organic Cotton Chain (obstacles and success factors):

• Hanspeter Egler, head division trade cooperation and clean technology transfer, Seco
  “Why Seco is fostering value chains” (presentation pdf, 55kb)
• Patrick Hohmann, director, Remei AG
  “Experiences of managing an integrated textile chain” (presentation pdf, 22kb)
• B.K. Prakash, director, Prem group
  “Lessons learnt – processor’s view”
  (presentation pdf, 1.1mbB)

Panel:
“From the niche to the mainstream - how to get the commitment of the different actors?”
Esther Girsberger Hofer, moderator, journalist

Closing:
Tobias Meier, head fair trade, Helvetas

this event was sponsored by: