Aaron Wanyama
5 October 2008
opinion
Kampala — I write in response to concerns expressed in the media regarding the cultivation of organic cotton, especially in northern Uganda.
Some of the views like that in Ibrahim Kasita's article that was published in The New Vision of September 11, titled "Organic Cotton drive backfires," seem to suggest that organic cotton is not profitable and growing conventional cotton using fertilisers and pesticides is more profitable.
These assertions are untrue. Research has shown that besides being more profitable, the cost of cultivating organic cotton is 80% lower than that of conventional cotton. Organic cotton is also eco-friendly compared to conventional cotton which emits carcinogenic compounds, chemicals that pose health risks to farmers.
Statistics from ICAC Research Associates, a leading cotton research agency, show that the demand for organic cotton fibre grew by 392% in the last five years. In the 2004/5 season, India produced 6,320 metric tonnes of organic cotton, Turkey 10,400, the US 1,968 and China 1,870 metric tonnes. Uganda did with only 900 metric tonnes sold.
Unfortunately, the Cotton Development Organisation has not carried out research to discourage farmers from growing conventional cotton. Organic cotton is grown without use of chemical pesticides or insecticides that pollute the soil and ground water.
The bio-pesticides that are used like yard manure, poultry waste, green manure and vermicompost are healthy for the soil and environment. It is ridiculous to see anyone decampaign the growth of organic cotton on grounds that it affects the environment adversely.
The authorities at the Coffee Development Organisation should know that with the emergence of the green industry in international trade, organic cotton is here to stay. Consumers are now informed on environmental issues and they will not accept anything less than natural products.
The Environmental Protection Agency considered seven of the top 15 pesticides used in conventional cotton as possible human carcinogens. They include acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, floumeturon, pendimethalin and trifluralin. So, should we be going for chemical-free cotton or promote a health hazard?
The writer is a textile technologist and acting dean, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University
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