What is the project of PIC?

The PIC Project aims to protect people's health and the environment and promote sustainable production and consumption through organic farming methods that are kind to the earth, the environment, and people.

Recently, at the Sustainability Exhibition, we exhibited a diorama to announce our efforts in India. This article introduces the PIC Project, which attracted the interest of many visitors.

The PIC aims to protect people's health and the environment and to achieve sustainable production and consumption through earth-friendly, environment-friendly and people-friendly organic farming methods.

At the Sustainable exhibition where the project was recently exhibiting, a diorama was displayed to present the project's efforts in India.Let us introduce you to the PIC , which attracted the interest of many visitors.

What is the PIC Project?

The PIC (Peace India Cotton) project is an initiative in which Kowa directly contracts with Indian farmers, provides organic farming instruction and manages the fields itself, and grows organic cotton together with them.

By promoting organic farming methods that do not use pesticides, we aim to protect the health and livelihoods of people working in cotton farming.

Furthermore, this leads to soil improvement and ecosystem health, contributing to the achievement of the SDGs and the realization of a society with a low environmental impact.

What is the project of PIC?

The PIC (Peace India Cotton) is an initiative to grow organic cotton together with farmers in India by concluding direct contracts with them and Kowa itself providing guidance on organic farming methods and managing the fields.

The PIC aims to protect the health and livelihoods of people engaged in cotton farming by promoting organic farming methods that do not use pesticides.

The PIC contributes to the achievement of the SDGs and the realization of a society with a low environmental impact by improving the soil and the health of the ecosystem.

Benefits of our production system

The PIC Project provides farmers with non-genetically modified seeds and has established a unique production system that allows for consistent management from seeds to finished products, ensuring traceability.

Cotton produced using conventional organic farming methods can only be traced back to the ginning stage of the manufacturing process.

However, at KOWA, we manage all processes ourselves, from educating and guiding farmers, to tilling and soil improvement, to cotton cultivation and harvesting. We have obtained soil certification (certification up to the production process), further enhancing the reliability of our products.

Advantages of the production system

The PIC supplies non-genetically modified seeds to farmers and has achieved a unique production system with traceability from seed to finished product.

Cotton produced by conventional organic farming methods can only be traced back to the ginning stage of the production process.

However, KOWA manages all processes in-house, starting with education and guidance for farmers, and extending to plowing, soil modification, cotton cultivation and harvesting.Soil certification (certification up to the production process) further enhances the reliability of the products.

Furthermore, KOWA purchases all of the cotton that is harvested. If this stabilizes farmers' lives, they will be able to create an environment where they can continue producing with peace of mind.

KOWA's efforts go beyond simply producing organic cotton; they also aim to provide economic stability to farmers and contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture.

Furthermore, all harvested cotton is purchased by KOWA. If the farmers' livelihoods are then stabilized, we can create an environment in which they can engage in production with peace of mind.

KOWA's efforts not only produce organic cotton, but also contribute to the economic stability of farmers and the development of sustainable agriculture.

Difficulty in management and production

In India, being involved in agriculture from scratch and keeping an eye on all aspects of management and production means that there are difficulties in terms of communication with farmers. Organic cotton cultivation requires a certain amount of time to increase income. Because this is not possible, farmers become anxious during production and think it would be better to use pesticides to increase yields.

KOWA's local staff work hard every day to clearly communicate and discuss with farmers why organic farming has such great benefits for them, so that they can truly understand.

Once this relationship of trust has been built, farmers can finally continue producing with peace of mind.

Difficulties in management and production

The system of being involved in farming from scratch and looking after all aspects of management and production in the land of India is difficult in terms of communication with farmers.Organic cotton farming requires a certain amount of time to increase income, because farmers feel insecure in the middle of production and think it is better to use pesticides to increase yields.

KOWA's local staff work hard and struggle every day to communicate and discuss with farmers why organic farming is so beneficial for them, and to make sure they really understand the benefits.

Only after building a relationship of trust can farmers finally feel secure enough to continue production.

The importance of youth cotton

It usually takes three years for cotton to be certified as organic.

Cotton grown using organic farming methods in the same environment and under the same conditions in the first or second year is cotton that is in the preliminary stage before being certified as organic cotton.

Therefore, in order to let as many people as possible know the importance of continuing to produce this 1- to 2-year-old cotton, we named it "Youth Cotton."

We believe that by promoting the value of used cotton, we can spread organic cotton throughout the world and achieve sustainable production and consumption.

The importance of youth cotton

It takes up to three years for cotton to be certified as organic cotton.

Cotton grown in the first or second year under the same conditions and in the same environment using organic farming methods is cotton in the preliminary stage of being certified as organic cotton.

Therefore, in order to make as many people as possible aware of the importance of the continuous production of this first or second year cotton, we have named it 'YOUTH COTTON'. By promoting the value of youth cotton, we believe that organic cotton can be spread around the world and sustainable production systems and consumption can be achieved.

A wish for the future

Organic cotton is only produced when the youth cotton produced in the first or second year is grown using organic farming methods. In other words, youth cotton is a "proof of trust" that shows that it is being produced using safe and secure methods. And its value is incalculable.

PIC is traceable cotton that KOWA manages from the fields onwards.

We aim to be truly 100% organic by being involved in every process, starting with checking the soil and fertilizer.

...Yes, we will continue to work hard on the PIC project and spread the word so that everyone can understand.

A wish for the future

Organic cotton can only be produced if the youth cotton produced in the first or second year continues to be produced using organic farming methods.In other words, youth cotton is a 'proof of trust' that we continue to produce in a safe and secure way, and its value is immeasurable.

PIC is a traceable cotton, managed by KOWA from the field.

By being involved in every step of the process, starting with checking the soil and fertilizers, we aim to achieve 100% organic in the true sense of the word.

...So that everyone can understand, we will continue to work hard on the PICand compomunicate it.