About Us

Intertwining social, economic and ecological aspects of cotton farming

Who We Are

ACRE is a not-for-profit organization registered under the India Trust Act 1882, dedicated to transforming agricultural practices through regenerative cotton farming. Our vision is to drive sustainable change by fostering collaboration across the entire cotton and textile value chain, including farmers, ginners, traders, buyers, brands, and industry authorities.

To align with this mission, ACRE focuses on research, training, knowledge sharing, policy engagement, on-ground implementation, networking, and collaborations. Through these efforts, we ensure that regenerative agriculture practices lead to healthier ecosystems, resilient communities, and a sustainable future for cotton farming.

By 2030

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Farmers to attain Regenagri Certification

A direct-to-farm e-sourcing model

On November 29, 2022, ACRE was launched in Nagpur, Maharashtra, at the “Reclaim to Regenerate: Towards Regenerative Cotton Sector in India” event, coinciding with the Nagpur Declaration promoting regenerative cotton and launching an online platform.

ACRE’s Core Focus Areas

Research and Development

Conducting research on regenerative practices, focusing on soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity.

Training and Capacity Building

Providing training programs to farmers and stakeholders for adopting regenerative agriculture practices.

Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination

Developing and sharing publications, case studies, and best practice guidelines to promote regenerative farming.

Engagement and Policy Support

Engaging in policies that support regenerative agriculture and providing technical assistance to government agencies.

Networking and Collaboration

Facilitating collaboration among farmers, brands, manufacturers, and NGOs to drive regenerative practices.

Project Implementation

Implementing pilot projects to support the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices on the ground.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring and evaluating the impact of regenerative agriculture practices and program effectiveness.

Benchmarking Regenerative Agricultural Standards

Establishing industry standards for regenerative agriculture to ensure sustainable cotton farming.

Together, towards a better tomorrow

Our Founding Partners

ACRE's founding partners - Solidaridad Network Asia, Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) and Regenagri - bring expertise in sustainable agriculture. They promote regenerative farming, prioritizing overall productivity, empowering farmers and inclusivity, positioning India as a leader in sustainable cotton and driving uptake across the textiles value chain.

Envisioned Social Impact by 2030

billion liters of water conserved

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Land under regenerative agriculture

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Regenagri-certified raw cotton

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tCO2e carbon sequestered

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Why do we exist

Agriculture is a backbone that not only sustains but also influences the balance of biodiversity. Cotton, is a key commodity produced in India. Globally, the textile industry is a cornerstone of economies and cultures worldwide and faces a host of environmental and social challenges. Consumers are themselves becoming increasingly conscious of the environmental and social impact of their choices. They demand sustainable and ethically sourced products, and the textile industry must respond.

15+

Years of Experience

ACRE unites stakeholders, empowering farmers with fair market representation, providing apparel brands with credible materials, and benefiting the environment through carbon sequestration.

Fair Voice

1. Ensure farmers receive payments without intermediaries.
2. Include farmer representatives in decision-making processes.

Fair Credibility

1. Promote transparency by tracking regenerative plant cotton from farm to finished products.
2. Publish regular reports on verification results, impact, and challenges.
3. Regulate certification bodies to ensure credible and effective standards.

Fair Carbon

1. Facilitate the generation and sale of carbon credits in recognized carbon markets.
2. Provide capacity building through training and support to farmers.
3. Ensure the integrity and authenticity of carbon credits in the marketplace.