Originating in Kutch, ‘Kala’ cotton is the original pure cotton, ‘old world’ cotton of India. The encouraging production of cotton and its initiative helps sustainable textiles production, while also preserving agriculture and artisanal livelihoods in the region of Kutch.
Kala cotton is indigenous to Kutch, and is also organic grown without any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, preventing their use and making the production defaulty organic. It is purely rain-fed crop used, which allows it to have a high tolerance to natural diseases and pests, which requires minimal investment and interventions.
It seems to be one of the few genetically pure cotton species found in India, and one of the only in the world that is pure as well as cultivated on such a large scale. This fabric is often used in making denim, as it forms a strong, coarse-textured fabric that is also stretchable.
The cotton usually comes in a short staple length, making it difficult to produce fine quality textiles using it. Due to its length, there are fewer twists per inch of yarn, and due to this quality, the use of this cotton has significantly declined in mainstream markets.
Presently, the Kala Cotton Initiative inspired sustainable cotton production which is in harmony with preserving the environment. They try to meticulously work with marginalized communities, promoting locally grown species and giving them a better standard of living.
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