Marks & Spencer: Extending the Walangal Cotton Project in India

Marks & Spencer (M&S) announced the second phase of Better Cotton in Andhra Pradesh, India, with the goal of delivering 21,000 tons of super "better cotton" fibers over the next three and a half years. As well as helping 20,000 farmers and their families improve their lives.

The first phase was launched in 2009 with the goal of producing cotton in a better way, significantly reducing the use of water and pesticides, and at the same time increasing the profitability of more than 6,000 farmers in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Now, M&S will continue to fund this project for the next three and a half years, expanding the project to 20,000 farmers. This is a joint venture between M&S and the World Society for Nature and Nature. The following results were obtained last year:

- The use of water is reduced by 51%; - The use of pesticide active ingredients is reduced by 81%; - The use of synthetic fertilizers is reduced by 53%.

The cotton produced by the Warangal project will be used later this year for a wide range of M&S products, including men's, women's, children's and home wear.