Volcom is working with Cotton Connect on a program to increase the supply of organic cotton. The program forecasts by improving wages and living standards of farmers growing organic cotton, it will increase organic cotton harvests and safeguard the world’s environment. Action-sports brand Volcom, based in the US, is a part of Kering, a France-based luxury conglomerate. Kering is also the parent company of Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen.

Cotton Connect, based in the UK, works on building sustainable supply chains, teaching sustainable agriculture practices and developing skills of women in countries where organic supply chains start. The program will also guarantee that yarn labeled and sold as organic cotton is indeed organic cotton. Certifying cotton as organic can occasionally be a murky process. This project makes it possible for a company to seek traceability in a supply chain, which was said to be impossible.

The program also offers a year long organic-farming-skills program for farmers that includes working to develop natural pest controls and organic fertilizers. The program also offers sessions on women’s rights and life skills. It embodies both environmental and social benefits. The program opened in 2017 in Madhya Pradesh and produced nearly 27 metric tons of organic cotton.