Central Idea

• Collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and Marple (an AI company) aims to track cotton certification in India.
• Utilizing satellite images and artificial intelligence, the project focuses on identifying and classifying cotton fields in India.

What is GOTS?

• The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a globally recognized standard for the processing and manufacturing of organic textiles.
• It is a leading certification for organic fibers, including cotton, throughout the entire supply chain, from harvesting of raw materials to labeling of the final product.
• GOTS ensures that organic textiles meet strict environmental and social criteria, providing credible assurance to consumers.

Key aspects of GOTS include:

1. Organic Fiber Criteria: GOTS requires that at least 95% of the fibers in a textile product must be certified organic. It prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and restricts the use of certain synthetic chemicals.
2. Environmental Criteria: GOTS sets strict environmental criteria for processing and manufacturing organic textiles. It includes guidelines for wastewater treatment, chemical inputs, and energy usage, promoting sustainability and minimizing the environmental impact.
3. Social Criteria: GOTS also encompasses social criteria, ensuring fair and safe working conditions for employees throughout the supply chain. It includes provisions for workers’ rights, prohibition of forced labor, and compliance with International Labor Organization (ILO) standards.
4. Supply Chain Traceability: GOTS requires full traceability of the supply chain, from the source of the organic fibres to the final product. This ensures transparency and integrity throughout the production process.
5. Labelling and Certification: GOTS-certified products are labelled accordingly, allowing consumers to identify and choose organic textiles with confidence. Certification is carried out by independent third-party organizations that assess compliance with GOTS standards.

What is the new program about?

• ESA’s programme will train AI models to analyze ESA satellite data and identify cotton fields in India.
• The project will help GOTS generate accurate estimates of organic cotton yields and incorporate standardized yield metrics.
• The initiative aims to identify cotton fields meeting predetermined standards and support a seamless transition to organic cultivation.
• Traditional and ecologically friendly farming practices will be encouraged.

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