Materra

Regenerative Textile Initiative • India

About

Transforming cotton farming with agroforestry

In the cotton-rich region of Wardha, Maharashtra, Materra’s initiative aims to transform cotton farming by integrating agroforestry into regenerative agricultural practices and piloting its first long staple cotton trials as part of a broader transition strategy. Additionally, the project will incorporate intercropping and bio-inputs while engaging women in self-help groups, focusing on ecological sustainability and improving farmer livelihoods. The funding supports a comprehensive approach to scaling regenerative cotton by building farmer capacity through training, covering initial costs such as saplings and fencing, and enabling diversified, long-term income streams that reduce dependency on single crops like cotton.

motivation

Materra is the one-stop nature-based solution for the fashion industry to source fully traceable regenerative cotton, at scale. By introducing agroforestry into regenerative cotton systems, Materra is going beyond certification requirements to achieve deeper regenerative impact. They work with and for smallholder farmers, to build custom regenerative cotton farming programs and supply chains that are climate-resilient, traceable and equitable.

Jill Raval

Milkywire Nature Lead

Pillar & Approaches

Regenerative Cotton

Cotton is one of fashion’s most widely used, resource-intensive materials and is also vulnerable to climate shocks such as droughts, heatwaves, and flooding. Through the Regenerative Textile Initiative, we aim to transition farmers to regenerative cotton and thereby increase the market availability of this nature-positive material. We support projects that use practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, and agroforestry to improve soil health, increase on-farm biodiversity, diversify farmer incomes, and strengthen local ecosystems.

Other projects within the fund

Women and dog next to a large amount of sheep

Regenerative Cotton

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Argentina

In the vast landscapes of Northern Patagonia, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Argentina is working to make wool production more sustainable and inclusive. This initiative supports 20 small-scale producers including many from Indigenous Mapuche and women-led households. Together, they manage 60,000 hectares and, under this initiative, are adopting regenerative grazing practices. Key activities include training, collaborative grazing planning, and investments in infrastructure such as fencing, enhanced water systems, and livestock guard dogs—all contributing to their readiness for internationally recognized certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and Regenerative + Wildlife Friendly™.

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