The Thing About Cotton

The Thing About Cotton

By The International Cotton AssociationBusiness
Download on the App Store

The Thing About Cotton episodes

  • 15: Cotton's Moment: The Truth About Cotton – Separating Myth from Reality

    In honour of World Cotton Day 2026, this episode asks what happens when bad statistics go viral? This is where cotton has found itself over many years of misquoted and misrepresented data. On this episode we stress-test these statistics with the vast knowledge and experience of Dr. Keshav Kranthi, International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)’s Chief Scientist. Join us to hear the fascinating story of how much water and chemical it takes to grow cotton – and what other crops use far more of both. You can also learn about the constant evolution of cotton production, improvements to yields and the rapidly evolving use of technology and innovation in farming practices.

    Dr. Keshav R. Kranthi is Chief Scientist at the ICAC in Washington, DC, and one of the world's leading cotton scientists. With more than 35 years of experience, he is internationally recognised for his work in cotton production, integrated pest management, sustainable and regenerative agriculture, climate resilience, and global agricultural development.

    Find out more about ICAC and World Cotton Day: www.icac.org

    42 min
  • 14: Cotton's Moment: An opportunity in an era of expensive oil?
    In a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain disruption, changing trade policies, and questions around resilience and traceability, some in the industry are beginning to ask whether cotton’s position may be evolving too.  Is the cotton industry acting like an NGO? Do we see opportunity for cotton amid the oil price volatility imposed by the Iran war? Is the system changing for or against cotton?  All questions we posed to Bob Antoshak in this wide ranging discussion about how cottons position in global fibre markets is evolving.
    31 min
  • 13: When Policy Meets Reality: Women Shaping Regenerative Cotton
    In this episode of The Thing About Cotton, we explore what it really takes to make regenerative cotton production a reality: from global policy frameworks to the lived experiences of farmers on the ground.
    As the industry pushes toward more sustainable practices, a key challenge remains: how do we bridge the gap between ambition and implementation?

    We begin with Tacko Ndiaye from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Year of the Woman Farmer (2026) – a global initiative focused on increasing recognition, investment, and support for women across agricultural systems. We discuss the structural barriers women farmers face and what needs to change to unlock their full potential.
     
    Learn more about the FAO initiative here:  https://www.fao.org/woman-farmer-2026/home/en

    We then move from policy to practice, hearing directly from Ms. Vaijayanti Gokhale, a regenerative cotton farmer in Maharashtra, India. Her experience highlights the realities of transitioning to more sustainable methods – from rising costs and climate pressures to rebuilding soil health.


    Together, these perspectives underline a critical truth: a successful regenerative transition depends on the alignment of policy, market forces, and farmer realities - and on properly valuing both cotton and the people who produce it.
    20 min
  • 12: Pierre Chehab, 2026 ICA President

    Representing three generations in the cotton trade, Pierre engages us with some very interesting thoughts on the evolution of the cotton trade during his career.  Both his continued passion for cotton and his overwhelming optimism are testament to a career full of amazing experiences and enduring relationships that remind us how incredible this industry really is. The ICA presidency is in good hands with Pierre Chehab!

    Note:  Due to the ongoing conflict and related flight disruptions, the ICA's trip to India referenced has been postponed. 

    28 min
  • 11: The Future of Natural Fibres – Dalena White, Make The Label Count
    Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of fashion, textiles, and sustainability with someone who’s seen it all — from the design studio to the factory floor, and now all the way to the global stage.

    Our guest, Dalena, has more than 20 years of experience in clothing design, textile manufacturing, merchandising, and fashion retail sourcing. She started out on the board of a clothing factory, before stepping into the wool industry in 2008, where she helped shape brand development for South African Merino wool — everything from styling and textile innovation to retail partnerships.

    Fast forward to 2016, and Dalena took on a global leadership role as Secretary General of the International Wool Textile Organisation, based in Brussels. That’s the world’s authority on wool standards, representing 26 countries and every stage of the wool pipeline.

    But that’s not all. Dalena is also co-spokesperson of the Make the Label Count initiative — where she and her team navigate the tricky world of European legislation, shining a spotlight on the real, science-backed data that proves natural fibres are truly sustainable choices.

    With her incredible background across fashion, manufacturing, and international trade, Dalena brings a unique perspective on the challenges — and the huge opportunities — facing the cotton industry today. So buckle up, this is going to be an in-depth, inspiring conversation about sustainability, innovation, and the future of natural fibres.

    47 min
  • 10: Alison Ward, CEO of CottonConnect
    This episode looks at the transformative role of cotton in global livelihoods, particularly focusing on women's empowerment in agriculture. It explores the challenges faced by women in cotton farming, the impact of climate change, and the importance of sustainable practices. As CEO of CottonConnect, Alison shares insights from her journey – via cocoa – through to the cotton industry, the initiatives of CottonConnect, and the significant improvements seen through programs focusing on women in cotton. She emphasises the importance of sustainability investments having commercial value, critical to enabling brands and retailers to manage risk in their raw material sourcing. The conversation highlights the need for systemic change and the potential of regenerative farming to create a more sustainable future for cotton production.
    49 min
  • 9: Antonia Prescott, Managing Director and Editor at Cotton Outlook
    In this informative episode, hosts Eimear McDonagh and Camille Cluzel interview Antonia Prescott, Managing Director and Editor at Cotton Outlook - the premier trade journal for the global cotton industry. Antonia shares how Cotton Outlook's A Index is built and its uses, the role of price benchmarks in today's markets, global trends in supply and demand and her own path to becoming the first women leading the organisation in its 50+ year history.
    36 min
  • 8: Eric Trachtenberg at ICAC : The Case for Cotton as a Global Public Good
    In this episode, hosts Eimear McDonagh and Camille Cluzel interview Eric Trachtenberg, Executive Director of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). From its economic importance to its impact on livelihoods around the world, Eric makes a compelling case for why cotton should be recognized as a global public good. 

    The conversation covers the potential of cotton to drive sustainable development, foster innovation, and empower communities—while also debunking some of the most common myths and misconceptions about cotton production and its environmental footprint. Whether you're new to the topic or a seasoned Cotton advocate, this episode offers fresh insights into the global cotton conversation. 
    31 min
  • 7: Women, Cotton & Sustainability: Pakistan’s Path Forward
    Sustainability stories from Pakistan

    In this episode of The Thing About Cotton, our hosts – Eimear McDonagh & Camille Cluzel - explore how sustainability in Pakistan's cotton industry is being driven by innovation, industry collaboration, and, most importantly, the empowerment of women. They are joined by sustainability expert Rebecca Owen From Better Cotton and Iqra Inam, Head of Sustainability at Sapphire Textiles, for an insightful discussion on the evolving role of women in cotton, the intersection of local farming with global ESG goals, and the importance of transparency in the supply chain. Tune in for a fascinating conversation on how Pakistan is weaving sustainability into its cotton industry, one bale at a time.
    34 min
  • 6: Farming Practices Series Part 2: Brazil’s Perspective with Fabiana Furlan
    This episode introduces the second of our series on farming practices and looks at the world’s biggest exporter, Brazil. Fabiana Furlan has been working in the cotton business for over 14 years. She joined Scheffer in 2016 and is now the Head of Commercial, Finance and Sustainability in Brazil, responsible for sales and execution of Scheffer’s cotton, soybean and corn. In this episode, Fabiana explains some of the challenges faced for Brazilian cotton, touching on farming conditions, biodiversity, regenerative farming and much more.
    32 min

About The Thing About Cotton

From the publisher's feed

NEW EPISODES EVERY FEW WEEKS, SUBSCRIBE TO LISTEN