Introduction   Welcome to the world of organic fabrics INDIAN COTTON MARKET   Puraane Zamaane Mein Cotton is one of the oldest fibres known to humanity. Some of the earliest fabric relics found in excavations of ancient civilisations have been cotton. Cotton was cultivated in Mohenjo Daro in 3500 B.C. Textiles of complex t echnique and design were found in Huaca Prieta, Peru circa 2400 BC. The word cotton itself comes from an Arabic word 'qutun' or 'kutun' used to describe any fine textile.   Types of Cotton   India grows all the four major types of cotton – G arboretum, G hirsutum, G herbaceum and G barbadense The first hybrid in the cotton crop was developed in India, in Surat, by Dr C T Patel (H4 intra hirsutum in 1970) – more than 200 varieties and hybrids were evolved in the subsequent five decades. Hybrids occupy around 45% of cotton crop in India, as in 1998. Important landmarks in the Indian cotton history include the development and release of native hybrids like G cot DH 37, G cot DH 9, DDH 2 and drought tolerant straight varieties like SRT 1, Renuka, LRA 5166, Anjali and Rajat   COMPARISON OF INDIAN GROWTH WITH INTERNATIONAL GROWTH   We give below the main quality wise cotton comparison of Indian cotton with International Cotton growth.   INDIAN GROWTH   INTERNATIONAL GROWTH VARIETY STAPLE   VARIETY COUNTRY J-34 SG 1" - 1.1/32"   AFZAL - 1467 MOT.MID CIS.MID PAKISTAN U.S.A. UZBEKISTAN LRA 1.1/32" - 1.1/16"   IZMIR GREEK.MID CIS.MID TURKEY GREECE UZBEKISTAN H-4 MECH-1 S-6 1.3/32" - 1.1/8"   W.AFRICA.MID AUSTRALIA.MID CHINEESE IVORY COAST MALI BENIN CAMARON AUSTRALIA CHINA MCU-5 DCH-32 1.3/16" - 1.5/16"   GUIZA PIMA BARAKAT EGYPT U.S.A SUDAN     Organic Cotton Facts   Of all organic fibers, organic cotton is one of the most popular. Here are some facts about the growing organic cotton industry.   What is Organic Cotton?   Organic Cotton is cotton grown and cultivated in an Organic way. Cotton is cultivated organically by adopting a detailed management system so as to make sure no pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used, the irrigation of water is also regulated appropriately, while land field is utilized under an optimal crop rotation system. An organic cultivation involves an ecological production management system to enhance biodiversity and soil biological activity. Off-farm inputs are minimized to maintain ecological harmony. Depending on standard the cotton must be grown and the system must be in place for at least three years. Recent studies show that currently 1% of all cotton is grown organically. The major Organic cotton producing countries are Turky, India, USA and China.   Why use organic cotton, why and how is it adopted in textiles and apparel?   Many years, ago, it all started in the food sector that people became aware of the impact of pesticides and other chemicals on the human body and environment. Conventionally grown cotton consumes 25% of the insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides used in the water and soil contamination, as well as danger to wildlife and human health. In recent years, the garment industry became aware of alternative ways to use cotton. Therefore major brands have started to implement the use of organic fiber, in particular fiber in their apparel as an integral part of the corporate social responsibility. The contents of organic fiber in textiles and apparel vary from 5% to 100% often blending with other fibers for comfort, function and other considerations.   We also use sustainable fabrics like bamboo, soy and hemp. As Shelter Apparel we used regular cotton, it was hard to find organic cotton in the beautiful fabrics that we can find it in now. We have changed the name and began to use all organic and sustain ables because it is way easier on the environment of course. We also use it because the fabric feels amazing and has many great properties. Each T-shirt made with 100% organic cotton saves 1/3 a pound of synthetic fertilizers and farm chemicals from entering the ecosystems. By ecosystems I mean the water you drink, the surf you surf and all the life you see outside your window. Cotton is also used as a food for cattle (the seed and fiber) and cottonseed oil is an ingredient in many processed foods. But because it attracts weeds and pests and is not considered a food in regular terms farmers load it up with toxic chemicals. Cotton is one of the most grown crops in the world so the effects from this are significant. Conventionally grown cotton accounts for 2% of the farmland world wide. It is responsible for 10% of the worlds pesticide use and 25% of the worlds insecticide use. The crops are sprayed from above affecting near by streams, farm houses and people. In contrast organic cotton uses beneficial bugs and manure in place of the chemicals. Organic Cotton also uses crop rotation methods, hand-weeding and cover crops as methods to ensure good crops. To use a field as organic the field must be free of chemical for 3 years. The cotton is processed according to acceptable standards. Organic GOTS Global Organic Textile Standard Set up by Control Union Certification bodies covering the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling and distribution of all natural fibers. This standard thus regulates the whole supply chain from ginning, manufacturing and all the way to distribution channels. It has also imposed restriction as on the use of chemicals and other auxiliaries. The use of accessories such as buttons and zips is regulated as well.   The key criteria under GOTS includes :   Labeling is offered with at least 95% or 70% organic fibers required in plain fabric. All inputs should meet basic requirements on toxicity and biodegradability. No toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde or Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Should be used. Environmental policy is required in manufacturing sites. Compulsory social criteria based on principles of Indian Labour law Dual system of quality assurance consisting of on-site inspection and residue testing    Finished products (often garments) manufactured in compliance with all compulsory criteria of the “Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS)” can be regarded as a product mainly made of organic materials. On hang tags of these finished products, the logo of the EKO Sustainable Textile Certification can be attached to identify the use of 70% or above organic materials. This EKO Sustainable Textile Certification ensures both the source of the natural fibers is organic, and the processes involved to turn them into a piece of textile or apparel product are conducted in an eco-friendly manner.