Regarding the revision of retail and wholesale prices of Color Cotton
Starting February 10, 2023, we will be revising the domestic price in Japan of Wagad cotton, also known as Kara cotton, a native variety produced by the NGO Khamir in Gujarat, India.
Kala cotton is a type of short-fiber native cotton originally cultivated in the Indian subcontinent. Native cotton has been attracting attention in recent years because it requires no pesticides and grows only with rainfall, making it less of an environmental burden.
Until 1947, 97% of cotton was native, but since the 1970s, it has been replaced by genetically modified cotton (commonly known as Bt cotton) from the Americas, which is easier to process and more suitable for industrial production. Currently, only 4% is said to be native.
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Our company started handling Kara Cotton in earnest through our Delhi office around 2016. Since then, we have been receiving a quiet positive response that it is a cotton that people reach for in hot or cold weather, due to its unique texture created by its tendency to shrink and its nostalgic, slightly brownish color.
In Japan, I believe there are many people who have been familiar with Color Cotton for many years, not only through our company but also through the works of various other creators.
However, the demand for Kala cotton has surprisingly been sluggish in India and around the world. Many farmers who have worked so hard to revive Kala cotton are giving up on it and considering switching to producing castor oil, which is expected to have a more stable demand.
The aim of this initiative is to reduce our inventory risk and pass on the cost reduction by switching from fabric that CALICO has previously imported and sold through our Delhi office to direct consignment sales from Khamir.
We hope to make it even more popular by making it more affordable. Of course, CALICO will continue to guarantee a certain level of quality according to our company standards.
◯ Retail price Petit Chal Kakara Cotton Khadi 3,520 yen -> 3,190 yen Unvirtual Kakara Cotton Khadi 2,640 yen -> 2,200 yen
◯ Wholesale orders are accepted for 50m or more of each product. Please contact us individually for prices and conditions. calicoindiajp@gmail.com
◯ Although Kara Cotton is certified as an organic cotton product, many of the fabrics it is made from contain cotton other than Kara Cotton, and as individual inspections are not possible, the fabrics themselves are not certified as organic. Thank you for your understanding.
*The online page is here .
About NGO Khamir
In Kutch, rapid industrialization has progressed as a result of the recovery from the Gujarat earthquake in 2001, and people's lifestyles have changed. In the midst of this, many handicraft businesses have lost customers and are facing a crisis of survival and succession.
Kutch has overcome repeated droughts and civil wars even before then, and there are other NGOs that have played various roles in this region. However, Khamir has a slightly different stance from these NGOs, having been founded in 2005 with the aim of serving as a platform for creating a more sustainable system.
One of the distinctive features of Khamir's activities is that it is committed to minor handicrafts that have not received sufficient support in the past or that are in need of challenge. In Kutch, many NGOs create jobs through embroidery and applique, which are traditionally done by women in each community, as this can lead to women's empowerment. However, Khamir is involved in a variety of handicrafts that are considered difficult to commercialize or pass on, such as weaving, dyeing, pottery, leatherwork, silverwork, and woodcarving.
Khamir also works to ensure that every process works smoothly, from the production and procurement of raw materials to the sale of finished products.
In the case of Kara Cotton, they bought cotton from farmers at a price higher than the market price, and encouraged collaboration among communities working on each technique in the processes of ginning, spinning, weaving, and dyeing, allowing weavers and village women to take on new jobs with peace of mind. They also created an environment in which they could have stable employment by increasing the value of their products and creating a market.
In the process, they carefully communicated with cotton growers, artisans, outside experts and collaborators, pooling their knowledge to develop ideas and solve problems one by one. That alone is an enormous task, but Khamir has done the same for a variety of other projects.
・Meaning of Khamir
It is an acronym of Kachchh Heritage, Art, Music, Information and Resources. In addition, it means "essential pride" in the local language (Kutch) and "to ferment/stimulate" in Hindi.
Khamir campus
Located in Kukma, about 15km from Bhuj, the capital of Kutch, Khamir's base of operations at first glance seems like an isolated island in the middle of the wilderness. However, upon visiting, you will find a sophisticated campus with studios where you can visit and experience each of the handicraft genres that Khamir deals with. It is a space full of experimental spirit and vitality, where ideas and creativity from various people are exchanged.
The facility is simple yet well-equipped, with a guest house where visitors and young interns can stay, and a shop selling the handicrafts they make.
※Reference source
Outline of Khamir https://khamir.org/about/khamir/who
Khamir Campus https://khamir.org/visit/campus