The GIZ-supported initiative, launched in November 2023, focuses on promoting Extra-Long Staple (ELS) Cotton cultivation in the Heggadadevanakote (HD Kote) and Nanjangud taluks of Mysuru district, Karnataka. The primary goal is to improve the livelihoods of small, marginal, and tribal cotton- growing families in HD Kote, Sargur, and Nanjangud taluks by fostering the production and collective marketing of organic and Fairtrade-certified ELS Cotton.

This project aims to provide comprehensive support to ELS cotton farmers, encompassing both technical guidance and market access, to enhance their incomes and demonstrate that ELS cultivation can be as profitable as other cotton varieties or hybrids. A significant emphasis is placed on the environmental benefits of producing organic cotton, highlighting its role in sustainable agriculture and reduced ecological footprint.

Spanning two years, the project plans to encourage the adoption of ELS cotton—specifically the Dharwad Cotton Hybrid-32 (DCH-32), also known as Jayalakshmi—among 10,000 farmers, covering a total area of 12,000 hectares.

To achieve this, the project will implement the following key activities:

  • Procuring and distributing high-quality ELS cotton seeds: Ensuring farmers have access to superior seeds to optimize crop yield and quality.
  • Capacity building for farmers: Conducting training sessions and workshops in collaboration with agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras to enhance farmers’ knowledge and skills in ELS cotton cultivation techniques.
  • Providing ongoing extension and technical support: Offering continuous assistance to farmers throughout the cultivation process to address challenges and improve farming practices.
  • Facilitating market linkages: Creating connections between farmers and buyers to ensure fair pricing and better market access for the cotton produced.

Through these initiatives, the project aims to enhance the sustainability and profitability of cotton farming in the region, thereby contributing to the socio-economic upliftment of the farming communities involved.