Duvalli, as an environmentally conscious company, has introduced organically cultivated cotton. Organic cotton is cotton that is produced and certified to organic agricultural standards. Its production depends on natural methods, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions rather than the use of pesticides or other chemical fertilizers, that harm the human and animal health and the environment.
Most importantly, organic farming system prohibits the use of toxic chemicals or GMOs (genetically modified organisms). This system protects the soil, allowing it to recover the soil’s fertility, does not harm the ecosystems and reduces health risks. Organic farming combines tradition, innovation and science. Indeed, for cotton to be classified as organic, it must be grown in soil that has been free of prohibited substances for at least the last three years prior to harvest.
Organic cotton is often available in limited colours because traditional dyes are made from chemicals that must be avoided.
Organic cotton grows without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. In fact, organic farming uses beneficial insects, biological and cultural practices to control pets. It may also use trap crops to lure insects away. As a result, energy savings from the production of fertilizers may reach up to 62%, compared with conventional cotton.
Organic farming systems protect the health of farmers and the environment by reducing the overall exposure to toxic chemicals in the field or through the food and water supply. Thus, it reduces the risk of developing health issues, such as, asthma or cancer.
Typically, cotton grows in water-scarce areas using irrigation. But organically cultivated cotton is 80% rain-fed and retains moisture in soil from increased organic matter through crop rotation. These practices reduce the pressure on local water sources and the absence of chemicals also means that water is cleaner and safer. Moreover, water management may stimulate natural defoliation.
Finally, many allergies caused by the use of chemicals in fibres we sleep in can be prevented by choosing organic over conventional cotton.