In the Malwa region of Punjab, a quiet revolution is underway as farmers embrace indigenous cotton cultivation to restore soil health and counter the impacts of monocropping and chemical-intensive practices. Farmers like Balwinder Singh and Surendra Pal Singh are reintroducing traditional varieties like kaali kapas, valued for their resilience, lower water requirements, and ability to thrive without chemical inputs.

While indigenous cotton yields may not match Bt cotton in volume, its environmental benefits and compatibility with organic practices are driving its resurgence. Farmers employ agroecological techniques such as intercropping and organic pest management, which not only protect soil health but also foster biodiversity.

To support these efforts, initiatives like Trinjan are creating value chains for organic cotton, enabling farmers to process their harvests into fabric and sustain the tradition of spinning on handlooms. Despite challenges such as limited market access and high production costs, this shift represents a sustainable model for farming in the region.