Organic cotton is grown without the use of chemical fertilisers or pesticides
To be SKAL certified, cotton must have been grown in organic soil for at least three years

We think you will actually prefer EcoSheek organic products. EcoSheek aims to become a purely organic supplier as we believe you will be won over by its quality.

All EcoSheek Products are organic as are the the samples we distribute. Organic cotton is significantly more expensive for us as its global production is limited. We already absorb some of this price difference but we still need to charge more for organic products. However, if more of our customers buy EcoSheek organic products, we will pass on the savings to you through further price reductions

Modern pesticides are largely synthesized in a laboratory: almost all are hydrocarbons derived from petroleum.

Liquid pesticides use kerosene or another petroleum distillate as a carrier. Given depleting petroleum reserves, the continued use of pesticides is unsustainable

Conventionally grown cotton uses more insecticides than any other single crop. Normal cotton producers use nearly 10% of the world’s pesticides and almost 35% of the world’s insecticides

Pesticides used on natural cotton are damaging to both people and the environment:

• 20,000 people are estimated to die anually as a result of pesticide poisoning
• Pesticides contaminate ground and surface water supplies
• Pesticides kill beneficial insects and soil micro-organisms
  

Cotton is grown in tropical conditions - many of these regions are vulnerable to climate change and other ecological threats

Not only does the elimination of artificial chemicals improve the growing environment for cotton and other crops, but, increased use of animal, as opposed to chemical, fertilisers promotes biodiversity. Cotton seed husks are used in animal feed, promoting a sustainable ecosystem.

Increasing biodiversity promotes beneficial insects and reduces the impact of pests on agricultural yields

OECD countries, particularly the USA, continue to provide production and export subsidies to cotton producers.

The prevalence of these subsidies disincentivises OECD farmers from migrating to organic farming. These subsidies serve to promote inequity among farmers.

According to the USDA, 73% of cotton subsidies go to the richest 10% of farmers - the richest 1% collect 25%

Organic cotton enables small farmers, particularly those in developing countries, who don't benefit from subsidies, to differentiate themselves from producers of natural cotton as they are paid a 20% price premium

Farmers in developing countries spend as much as 40% of their gross income on pesticides.

This has a disastrous impact on the livelihoods of farmers in these countries. Much of this expenditure on industrial chemicals is routed directly back to developed countries, often multinational organisations .

The elimination of expenditure on pesticides has an immediate, direct impact on the income of small farmers. This, combined with the premium they secure for organic cotton, has a transforming impact on the quality of life of whole communities.

Longer term, increasing affluence should enable the children of farmers to benefit from educational opportunities. Opening up opportunities for the children of farmers reduces pressure on rural communities to maximise yields and promotes sustainable farming practices.

Ultimately, the promotion of organic cotton should reduce dependence on international aid.