Organic cotton farming isn't without its challenges, one of the biggest being lower yields compared to conventional methods. I once met a farmer who shared that during his first few years of organic farming, his cotton yield dropped by nearly 20%. This is because organic farming doesn't use synthetic fertilizers that boost crop growth, and managing pests organically can be more labor-intensive.
Another challenge is the certification process. It takes time and money to get land certified as organic, and during this transition, farmers can't market their cotton as organic even if they’ve stopped using chemicals. This can be financially straining.
However, with proper planning and support, many farmers overcome these challenges and find organic farming to be a sustainable and rewarding choice. If you want to explore more about this topic, here’s a resource that could provide additional context.
