The ground work behind every lot.

Why artisan:re exists, and what happens, on the farm in Nagpur and Adilabad before food or cotton ever reaches a buyer.

The crisis we face.

Present-day farmers are grappling with a combination of environmental and economic hurdles, leading to a significant crisis within the agricultural sector. Here’s a closer look at the critical issues they face:

Soil Health

Relying on conventional high-intensity farming methods has led to frequent crop failures and low-quality produce.

Water Resources

Depletion and mismanagement of water resources threaten agricultural sustainability.

Air Quality

Emissions of greenhouse gases and ongoing environmental degradation further compromise farming conditions.

Economic Viability

Farmers struggle to obtain fair prices for their produce, often selling below market value and falling into debt, leading to financial distress and, tragically, even suicide.

re:balance

By tending the land with care, we nourish the soil for future generations.

Our Commitment to Change

artisan:re aims to connect cotton farmers with fair markets, ensuring rewarding returns for both farmers and the environment. By partnering with nature:re, we train farmers and promote regenerative farming practices that restore soil health and biodiversity.

SOIL

We implement sustainable farming practices such as intercropping, crop rotation, organic fertilization, and no-till farming to improve soil health and resilience against crop failures.

WATER

We promote efficient irrigation methods like drip irrigation and invest in water conservation technologies to mitigate water depletion and ensure sustainable use in agriculture.

AIR

We introduce measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources and implementing carbon sequestration techniques like cover cropping.

FAIR MARKET VALUE

artisan:re connects farmers with fair markets, ensuring rewarding returns, revitalizing livelihoods, and creating a dependable system.

We've made it a priority to reduce the negative impact of agriculture to help renew the earth in the process.

A Call for Regenerative Agriculture.

Every time a farmer transitions to regenerative agricultural practices, it creates a positive ripple effect on the environment and the community.

Soil Health

Our regenerative farming practices prioritize soil health, crucial for long-term agricultural sustainability. Since 2021, we have engaged over 1,000 to 3,000 farmers, covering more than 1,600 to 4,200 hectares in the Vidarbha and Telangana regions.

We focus on producing and distributing non-GMO seed varieties that are highly nutritious while being less prone to pest infestations. We prepare and use organic fertilizers and pesticides that are made by the farmers.

Providing comprehensive support through training, distribution of materials required, and on- field assistance, we enable seamless adoption of regenerative techniques. These include avoiding synthetic chemicals, implementing cover crops, crop rotation, and composting, all of which enhance soil fertility, structure, and moisture retention. Healthy soil not only facilitates the growth of organic cotton but also safeguards against erosion and degradation, ensuring sustained productivity for farmers.

Water Management

Water, a precious resource, is carefully managed in regenerative farming systems. Through the implementation of micro irrigation techniques, utilization of cover crops to retain moisture, and adoption of soil-friendly practices like mulching, farmers effectively reduce water usage while safeguarding local water sources. Moreover, regenerative farming practices play a crucial role in replenishing ground water levels. Growing trees alongside crops and restoring wetlands help water seep into the ground more quickly. This holistic approach contributes to the long-term sustainability of water resources in the region.

In our initiatives, we’ve made tangible strides in water conservation efforts. 20 farm ponds have been excavated, facilitating the storage and percolation of 56,720 cubic meters of water in 2023. These farm ponds are structured with precise dimensions and equipped with proper inlet and outlet structures to efficiently collect surface runoff from the farm area. Additionally, we’ve restored one community pond, enhancing water availability for the local community.

Through these efforts, our goal is to support farmers while also protecting the environment, ultimately promoting the well-being of both farmers and surrounding ecosystems.

Waste Management & Air Quality

Agriculture is a major greenhouse gas emitter, but with the right organic practices, soil can act as a significant carbon sink. At artisan:re, we empower farmers to improve soil health and sequester carbon through sustainable practices such as cover cropping and adding organic matter. Our comprehensive waste management system ensures that every part of the crop is utilized efficiently, minimizing waste and enhancing sustainability.

Sustainable Waste Management Practices

Recycling Plant Waste

We adopt a circular system for managing plant waste by recycling it on our farms to create compost and vermicompost. These processes not only enrich the soil with nutrients but also reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. To date, we have produced approximately 325,000 kilograms of manure and distributed 150 vermicompost beds to our farmers, significantly improving soil fertility and crop yields.

Utilizing Farm Waste

We collect farm waste, such as cotton stalks, and convert it into biochar using farm-level techniques. Biochar, a form of black carbon produced by heating organic material at high temperatures, offers multiple benefits:

Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Cuts down emissions by 12%.
Enhances Soil Moisture Retention: Helps the soil retain moisture, crucial for plant growth.
Improves Soil Health: Reduces soil acidity and enhances the nutrient cycle, promoting healthier crops.

Harnessing Animal Waste

Animal waste, such as cow dung, is collected in a biodigester to produce both high-nutritive manure and burnable biogas.
This dual-purpose approach:

Produces Nutritive Manure: Enhances soil conservation and fertility.
Generates Renewable Energy: Biogas serves as a sustainable alternative to firewood and LPG, reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

Maximizing Economic Viability through Diversified Crop Cultivation

Regenerative farming at artisan:re not only enhances soil health and biodiversity but also ensures economic viability for farmers. By embracing practices like intercropping and diverse crop cultivation, we mitigate financial risks associated with monoculture farming and open up multiple revenue streams.

Leveraging a Landscape Approach

Integrating intercropping and diverse crop cultivation allows us to harness the full potential of our land. Approximately 60% of our farmland is dedicated to cultivating organic cotton alongside complementary seasonal and perennial crops. This strategic approach not only optimizes land use but also maximizes profitability for farmers.

A diverse range of crops are cultivated and harvested at our farm. Crops such as cotton, soybean, pigeon pea, green gram, black gram, wheat, bengal gram, sweet lime, oranges and more.

By helping locals build self-sufficiency, we bring prosperity to the people.

Connecting Farmers to Fair Markets

We collaborate closely with farmers, connecting them to markets that offer fair prices for their diverse produce. Through transparent and equitable market linkages, we ensure that farmers receive the value they deserve for their hard work, fostering economic stability and prosperity within the community.

Traceability

artisan:re is a not-for-profit social enterprise, transparently disclosing all costs. We determine the Market Selling Price based on the average of last year’s prices, adding a fixed premium for the farmer’s organic produce, promoting farmer prosperity. With certified organic supply chains and rigorous quality checks at every level, we ensure authenticity.

Our Cotton Product Line

We transform our sustainably grown, non-GMO cotton into a variety of high-quality products, each crafted with care and an unwavering commitment to sustainability:

Seed Cotton: Non-GMO, medium staple length, NPOP-IC3 certified for superior quality.

Lint Cotton: Non-GMO, medium staple length, GOTS certified for eco-friendly excellence.

Organic Cotton Yarn: Hand-spun and mill-spun GOTS certified yarns, ranging from 10Ne to 40sNe, perfect for a wide range of textile applications.

Fabrics: Premium handloom and powerloom fabrics, available for both small and large orders, ensuring flexibility and quality for all your needs.

Each product reflects our dedication to sustainable practices, from seed to final fabric, ensuring the highest standards for our customers and the environment.

Farm-to-fabric

Cotton presents numerous opportunities within the market, as it can be transformed into various products along the supply chain, including seed cotton, lint, hand-spun and mill-spun yarn, as well as handloom and powerloom fabrics.

We provide training in a range of skills such as hand-spinning, natural dyeing, handloom weaving, and tailoring to farmers and their families. This not only enhances their capabilities and skills but also creates additional income avenues for them.

Furthermore, we manage a robust supply chain to supply mill-spun yarns and a variety of powerloom fabrics, catering to both large orders and expedited delivery requests.

Join Us in Celebrating Diversity

Explore the richness of our crop portfolio and join us in celebrating the diversity of nature. Together, we can support sustainable agriculture and create a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.