AGROcotton: Agroforestry potential for sustainable cotton growing in Brazil for the fashion industry

Agroforestry systems for Organic Cotton production (OAC) seek to play a pivotal role in addressing climate change and supporting a green and inclusive recovery in Brazil. AGROcotton seeks to build capacity for OAC production and develop scalable business models for sustainable OAC supply chains in Brazil, contributing to; (i) sustained reduction of GHG emissions, (ii) green and resilient recovery reducing deforestation, biodiversity loss and water stress, and (iii) inclusive recovery generating income opportunities for marginalised communities. AGROcotton sorted deliver: 1. Spatial analysis of land suitability and potentials of OAC in Brazil (ICL). To promote the outcome, Task 1 will facilitate the scale-up and replicability of OAC projects employ GIS-based Multi-Criteria Analysis to quantify suitable areas (high, medium and low suitability) and geolocate most suitable areas in the Midwest, Northeast and North regions of Brazil. 2. Capacity building in Mato Grosso (FF & ICL). To advance the outcome, Task 2 will improve the capacity of small-scale farmers to implement OAC systems by training between 20 and 100 small-scale, vulnerable farmers on financial, management and agricultural aspects of OAC systems. 3. Implementation of OAC pilot cases in Mato Grosso (FF & ICL). To promote the outcome, Task 3 will generate experience with the execution of OAC systems by cultivating 20 ha of degraded forest integrating cotton with other crops. 4. Environmental analyses (ICL & FF). To advance the outcome, Task 4 will provide critical knowledge of the environmental impacts of OAC systems by quantifying emissions of Greenhouse Gases, consumption and pollution of water and impacts on biodiversity with Life Cycle approach, based on experimental data from Mato Grosso. Also, changes of land use and land cover, both direct and indirect, will be monitored and quantified. 5. Socio-economic and financial analyses (ICL & FF). To promote the outcome, Task 5 will analyse the financial and socio-economic impacts of OAC systems at farm level, based on experimental data from Mato Grosso. 6. AGROcotton guidelines for OAC (FF & ICL). To advance the outcome, Task 6 will facilitate the replicability of OAC projects and inspire future action by developing a set of OAC guidelines synthetizing empirical evidence and lessons learnt from T2, 3, 4 and 5 of AGROcotton. 7. Market analysis (UB & FF). To promote the outcome, Task 7 will characterise the potential market of OAC in Brazil by mapping supply chain actors and drivers, considering prices, willingness to pay and the importance of traceability and certification. 8. Policy analysis and recommendations (UB). To promote the outcome, Task 5 will recommend policies and programmes for OAC systems in Brazil (UB). To promote the outcome, Task 5 will recommend policies and programmes for OAC systems in Brazil based on an analysis of existing policies in agriculture and forestry and expert interviews. 9. Dissemination and communication activities (FF, ICL & UB). To advance the outcome, Task 6 will communicate and disseminate widely the outputs of AGROcotton and by initiating the establishment of a national stakeholder platform for OAC.