Organic Cotton Hand Towel

Pico produces essential, everyday goods, which can be traced right back to the source. Working directly with small enterprises, for this project they have researched and learnt about indigenous Indian cotton and are working with a cooperative in Gujarat to produce these handwoven bath sheets and hand towels using this locally grown fibre.

Project Pico towels from Khamir - a co-operative in Western Gujarat in the Kachh region just outside Bhuj. They are a cooperative who formed after the huge earthquake in 2011 which caused devastation to many villages and communities. Khamir wanted to support these communities whilst encouraging traditional craft and ecology, and helping preserve their heritage.

As one of their projects, Khamir work with 40 farmers growing native cotton. This cotton is called Kala cotton a variety native to the Kachchh region, which has adapted to its arid climate over thousands of years. People stopped growing it because of the short staple (which is not so desirable for industrial machines) but Khamir provided a market for these farmers as they can use it on traditional looms. Gujarat is an extremely dry state and this cotton can grow in exceptionally arid conditions requiring little to no water. 

It is quite remarkable as very little else can grow there in these conditions. When PP visited in January they were amazed at how the cotton was growing out of this exceptionally dry and cracked ground. The farmer was describing to us how prone the area was to droughts and how they often don't get water for 4 days at a time, in their homes.