In a pioneering move that could reshape sustainable agriculture,
the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and AI firm Marple have
unveiled the results of their revolutionary Satellite Cotton
Monitoring Project in India, demonstrating a 97% accuracy rate in
detecting cotton fields and over 80% accuracy in determining their
organic status. Addressing critical challenges in the industry,
this innovative project aims to increase organic cotton
availability and secure fibre integrity, building on GOTS's
existing robust measures.
Global Standard is a trailblazer, solution provider and thought
leader in the voluntary sustainability standards space, and the
Satellite Cotton Monitoring Project continues this tradition of
innovation and creative thinking.
How it Works
Co-financed by Global Standard, the non-profit behind GOTS, and
the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Business Applications and Space
Solutions (BASS) programme, the project leverages the Cotton
Cultivation Remote Assessment (CoCuRA) software developed by
Marple.
Field teams visited over 6,000 fields in India, across the
states of Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra,
collecting data on crops, soil types and cultivation status. This
data was then used by Marple to refine the CoCuRA algorithm for
cotton specifics in India. Once the algorithm was trained, it was
applied to the entire agricultural area of India, covering a
staggering 2.7 million square kilometres. Within seconds, CoCuRA
detected all organic and conventional cotton fields with remarkable
accuracy. A project of this magnitude is only possible with CoCuRA
with no other comparable project or data in existence.
Enhancing Organic Cotton Availability
The technology's ability to pinpoint cotton fields where farmers
use near-organic or uncertified organic methods can ensure a steady
increase in certified organic cotton by facilitating their
certification process.
Jeffrey Thimm, organic production specialist at Global Standard,
said, "This technology identifies farmers who use sustainable
methods that meet organic standards but lack certification. By
integrating these farms into conversion projects, it boosts organic
cotton supply, promotes sustainable farming practices and enables
farmers to access premiums on their supplies."
Securing Organic Fibre Integrity
Building on GOTS's robust integrity measures, the CoCuRA
software integrates AI technology with satellite data to verify
cultivation practices meticulously. The data collected also
contributes to Global Standards’ Global Fibre Registry,
consolidating comprehensive data on raw material production before
entering the GOTS value chain, further adding to fraud detection
and prevention.
Sustainability in Textiles
Global Standard is recognised for its comprehensive approach to
sustainability. From promoting human rights along the value chain
to banning harmful chemicals in certified textiles, GOTS sets a
benchmark for integrity and sustainability. In addition, GOTS
certification is a powerful tool that helps companies comply with
legal requirements globally.
"For over 20 years, we have been pioneering solutions to help
the industry on its journey towards sustainability,” said Claudia
Kersten, managing director of Global Standard. “This project is a
game changer, combining satellite technology with AI to meet the
growing demand for genuine organic cotton. In addition, this eye in
the sky will prevent fraud by allowing us to crosscheck locations
and field sizes in a very cost-efficient way. It's a win-win-win
situation: farmers have an incentive to grow organic and improve
their lives, the industry can secure its supply and meet its
sustainability goals, and consumers have a greater choice of
organic textiles."
Future Prospects and Global Impact
Following the successful pilot in India, the project aims to
expand globally.
Daniel Lanz, managing partner at Marple, said, "India faces
unique challenges in the satellite-based detection of agricultural
fields. Firstly, the country is extremely large and spans several
climate zones. Secondly, field sizes are very small, and thirdly,
field boundaries are often indistinguishable, with one field
merging into the next. Despite these challenges, CoCuRA has
achieved astonishing accuracy in detecting cotton fields and
assessing their cultivation methods. This breakthrough provides a
pioneering overview of cotton production in India that would be
impossible to achieve on the ground. CoCuRA will help protect the
integrity of organic farmers and may facilitate more smallholders
transitioning to organic farming by simplifying the certification
process."
Guillaume Tuan Prigent, a business developer and partnership
officer in ESA’s Applications Projects and Studies Division said,
“The potential impact of the solution lies in its ability to be
scaled and this is exactly what we are working on. We are looking
to deliver a solution that could have a global impact for the
benefit of all. “
Global Standard is eager to see this technology extend to other
regions and additional fibres, which could revolutionise how crops
are monitored.
Watch a short video about the project and find a media kit with
images and videos here.
- Read this press release in German / Deutsche
Pressemitteilung
- Read this press release in Chinese / 中文新聞稿
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About Global Organic Textile StandardGOTS (Global Organic
Textile Standard), managed by non-profit Global Standard, is the
world's leading standard for organic textile certification. It sets
strict environmental and social criteria for the entire textile
value chain, from the harvesting of raw materials to the finished
product. GOTS certification ensures the integrity of finished
organic textiles and provides comprehensive solutions for the
industry and assurance to consumers worldwide. For more
information, visit www.global-standard.org.
About MarpleMarple, a German startup established in 2021,
specializes in developing advanced machine learning models for
earth observation. Their projects encompass a wide spectrum of
applications, including automated detection of cars and delivery
traffic, pinpointing the warmest spots in cities, and identifying
areas experiencing water stress. Request more info on Marple’s
projects at www.marple.info.
About ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions
(BASS)ESA Business Applications Space Solutions is the go-to
place for great business ideas involving space in all areas of
society and economy. Our mission is to support entrepreneurs in
Europe in the development of business using satellite applications
and space technology to improve everyday life, delivering
environmental and societal benefits. To find out how ESA BASS can
help your business please visit business.esa.int.
- View of Gujarat in the CoCuRA software
- AI map of all crops, conventional cotton and organic
cotton
Katie Lee
Global Standard gGmbH
lee@global-standard.org