Apulia regenerative cotton project shows progress with first harvest and new garment release
The Apulia Regenerative Cotton Project, which began in 2023, has made significant strides in its mission to promote sustainable and regenerative cotton farming. After two years of research and cultivation, the project has achieved its first tangible results, marking a key milestone in the growing field of regenerative fashion.
The project is a collaboration between the Sustainable Markets Initiative Fashion Task Force, the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance, and key organizations like the European Forest Institute (EFI), the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), and Pretaterra. Its goal is to explore the potential of regenerative agriculture in cotton farming, combining scientific research with sustainable practices. This involves the use of agroforestry techniques—such as growing cotton alongside various tree species—to improve soil health, conserve water, and enhance biodiversity.
In 2023, the project began by planting cotton alongside rows of peach trees on a one-hectare plot. Over time, the project expanded to include poplar and pomegranate trees, reaching a total of 3 hectares by the following year. The third year saw even more growth, with cotton being alternated with carob, fig, and mulberry trees across approximately 5.2 hectares. This expansion means that the project has already achieved its goal of covering 5 hectares ahead of its original five-year schedule.
The results so far have been promising. In the first year, the project harvested 2,400 kilograms of regenerative cotton, which increased to 3,000 kilograms in the second year. This cotton is produced using agroforestry techniques that prioritize carbon sequestration, reduce chemical use, and lower water consumption.
In addition to the successful harvest, the project has produced its first garment made entirely from regenerative cotton. These T-shirts are crafted from cotton grown in the project’s experimental fields and are certified with a Regenagri label, ensuring full traceability and sustainability across the entire supply chain. The T-shirts, available in white and blue, carry the Giorgio Armani signature and feature a QR code for authenticity verification.
Only 1,000 of these limited-edition T-shirts have been produced. They will be sold at select Giorgio Armani boutiques in Europe and online, with packaging made from recycled materials. This marks an important step in demonstrating how regenerative cotton farming can contribute to sustainable fashion practices.
The project has also led to the publication of four peer-reviewed articles in respected scientific journals such as Agroforestry Systems, Journal of Environmental Management, and Plants. These studies explore various aspects of sustainable cotton production, including carbon storage, water conservation through AI, and the broader environmental impacts of agroforestry systems.
