India Cotton Project
The Project
In Central India, Wildlife Friendly is working with WWF India and SRIJAN to advance regenerative, Wildlife Friendly® cotton production across biodiverse agricultural landscapes. By stewarding regenerative soil management, biological pest control, habitat buffers, and reduced chemical inputs, the project strengthens coexistence in a corridor connecting two critical tiger reserves. Raw cotton is aggregated and marketed through COFE Producer Co. Ltd., linking conservation-aligned production with structured market access. Together, these efforts demonstrate how community-led transition pathways and traceable supply chains can reduce human–wildlife pressures, improve farm resilience, and support the long-term viability of nature-positive fiber production in a globally significant conservation landscape.
9000
Farmers
260
Training sessions organized regarding regenerative agriculture practices
14566
Acres
108
Villages
78
Training sessions organized regarding harvesting and post-harvesting practices
7450
Organic certified areas
Outcomes
Our Interventions
Project interventions encourage the adoption of Wildlife Friendly agriculture practices, protecting key species like tigers, grey langur, jungle cat, and more. These interventions include:
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Promotion of crop diversification
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Training for 15 master farmers, 30 farmers, and 5 additional staff members on regenerative agriculture
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Awareness camps on regenerative agriculture and Wildlife Friendly practices
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Development of an Advanced Bio-Input Resource Centre
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Look & Learn visits on Bee-Keeping (Apiculture)
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Around 500 non-fruiting and fruiting orchard farmers were trained on the best orchard management practices
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Approximately 15 training sessions were conducted on nutrient and pest management
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Using our standards as a guide to reinforce their coexistence with species in the region
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Providing support on coexistence issues - access to species specific trainings (i.e monkey, deer, wild)
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Forest fire management sessions
Partners
Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action (SRIJAN) was founded in 1997 by Ved Arya to make a difference in the lives of the rural poor through direct action. Self-reliance for rural community is their goal, and while doing so, they are always compassionate and sensitive to the conditions in which they live.
WWF-India is a science-based organization which addresses issues such as the conservation of species and its habitats, climate change, water and environmental education, among many others. Over the years, its perspective has broadened to reflect a more holistic understanding of the various conservation issues facing the country and seeks to proactively encourage environmental conservation by working with different stakeholders- Governments, NGOs, schools and colleges, corporates, students and other individuals.
About SRIJAN
About the Regenerative Fund for Nature
About WWF-India
The Regenerative Fund for Nature supports innovative approaches to agricultural production by working with nature, not against it, starting with the fashion industry, to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture while helping local communities thrive.
Wildlife Friendly strengthened its Regenerative Fund for Nature portfolio through flagship initiatives in India cotton, Patagonia merino and mohair, and Caldenal region leather. These multi-year efforts, spanning fiber commercialization, enterprise development, and producer capacity building, are laying the groundwork for scalable, biodiversity-positive supply chains.
