PEOPLE
Meet the farmers and trainers of the Primark Cotton Project
We have been supporting cotton farmers through the Primark Cotton Project for over 10 years in partnership with CottonConnect and our local partners.
When we started this journey, our goal was to understand and reduce the environmental impact of our cotton, support cotton farmers through education and rethink how we sourced cotton. The programme began with 1,251 female farmers in Gujarat, India and over a decade later, it’s grown to become the largest of its kind of any single fashion retailer.
With climate change already affecting many in our supply chain, especially women, building resilience in this changing context is a key focus.
A spotlight on the women of the Primark Cotton Project
Women are at the heart of the Primark Cotton Project, making up more than 80% of the farmers we train. Their strength and dedication drive the success of the programme. Our focus is on empowering these women, helping them build resilience in their farming communities and adapt to the challenges they face.
Meet some of the women at the centre of our Primark Cotton Project in India
Building confidence, improving farmer livelihoods
Lalita - Project Cotton Project trainer, Gujarat, India
Lalita joined the Primark Cotton Project to learn cotton farming techniques and eventually became a trainer herself. Her mission is to support women farmers and help them build independence. Through her role as a trainer, Lalita has been able to fund her children's education, and today, her younger daughter is a physiotherapist. As she continues to train more women, Lalita has noticed her own confidence grow as well.
Lalita says...
"There have been changes within me as well... I now hold a position of respect both at home and in society, because we train the women in a way that brings changes to their lives."
Geeta and Aruna - Primark Cotton Project trainers, Meshana, India
Geeta and Aruna, both trainers with the Primark Cotton Project, have found that their roles have helped them grow in confidence. Today, they feel comfortable speaking in public and teaching the women in their community. Their hope is to inspire more women in their community to step up and become trainers, continuing the cycle of empowerment and support within the project.
Geeta says...
"Earlier I knew nothing about cotton farming, how to do farming and what's involved. But after joining this programme, I've learned a lot about farming."
Responding to a changing climate
Kanchanben - Primark Cotton Project farmer, Mohd, India
Kanchanben grows cotton and moong (mung bean) on her two-acre village plot in Mohd Village, India and says she is experiencing more extreme heat: “The high temperatures can be overwhelming, prompting us to seek shelter in the shade.” Additionally, hotter temperatures have increased the number of insects threatening her crops.
Using the organic spray advised by the Project Cotton Project team instead of chemical-heavy pesticides, Kanchanben has been able to sustain her cotton crop successfully year on year: “When you apply the prescribed treatment as instructed, your cotton crop will thrive remarkably.”
She has learned new techniques through our Primark Cotton Project, like keeping insects at bay with methods like sticky traps. She uses the money she saves to buy school supplies for her children and cover other home expenses. Kanchanben’s knowledge-sharing spirit benefits her entire family, as she passes on the techniques she has learnt to others.
Kanchanben says...
"When insects that fly around come, they land on the paper, and there's no need to spray insecticides.”
Heenaben - Project Cotton Project trainer and Senior Coordinator SEWA, Gujarat, India
Heenaben has worked with SEWA for over 30 years. Heenaben says climate change has impacted farming in the region and that heavy rainfall or excessive heat can cause problems for cotton growth and lead to rising costs. Heenaben and her team are training women farmers in agricultural skills that allow them to adapt and protect their crops against the changing weather.
Heenaben says...
"We’ve learned a lot from this programme and the women have gained a lot of benefits. It’s not just about receiving education and leaving - its continuous education for three years."
Sharing knowledge with the community
Zala - Primark Cotton Project farmer, Muhad, India
Zala is a farmer living in Muhad village. For the last two years, Zala has learnt new farming skills relating to land preparation and sowing, crop management and harvesting through the Primark Cotton Project. She uses the homegrown produce to cook meals for her family and sells anything leftover at the local market. The money she earns is used to support her children’s education and cover general household costs. Zala has found the programme extremely beneficial for both her and the other female farmers in the village who are also learning more sustainable farming methods.
Zala says...
"I have also practiced inter cropping, cultivating crops like moong, guar, and various vegetables including tomatoes."
You can find out more about the programme here.
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