Donne in Campo, the association launching a supply chain for fabrics made from agricultural waste.

Demand for eco-friendly clothing in Italy has grown by 78 percent. Artichoke leaves, onion peels, pomegranate peels, and even olive tree residues are among the most popular items.

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AGRICULTURAL WASTE DRESSED

Artichoke leaves. Onion peels. Pomegranate peels. But also residues from olive tree pruning and harvesting. sustainability in agriculture this also means: don't waste anything left of production and reuse this material to make another fashion, 100% eco-sustainable.

WOMEN IN THE FIELD

The members of the are launching the challengeCIA Women's Association (Italian Confederation of Farmers), “Donne in Campo”, agricultural entrepreneurs who are credited with having created a tricolour textile supply chain, “Agrifabrics”, based on plant-based fibers and green dyes derived from agricultural products and waste. Their goal: to create an extraordinary union between women, fashion, and the environment, promoting eco-friendly agricultural production methods while simultaneously transmitting the genuine values ​​of the land to new generations.

ALSO READ: Modern Agriculture: Farming goes vertical. 95 percent less water and 98 percent less soil.

WOMEN IN THE FIELD

AGRICULTURAL WASTE FABRICS

The initiative stems from growing consumer demand for sustainable clothing, which has grown 78% in Italy over the past two years, and is accompanied by a greater willingness to purchase eco-friendly products, up 55%. Meeting this demand is possible.It's a supply chain that still needs to be built – underlines the national president of Donne in Campo-Cia Pina Terenzi – but of which we have the technical know-how, considering the relationship, throughout history and still today, between women and the textile tradition."

AGRITESSUTI

According to estimates by the Cia (Italian Farmers' Confederation), the production of flax, hemp and silk mulberry today involves approximately 2.000 agricultural companies in Italy, for a turnover of almost 30 million (with related activities). A figure that could even triple – observe the Women in the Field – if the promising agri-textile market welcomed the three thousand producers of medicinal plants with dyeing properties, chamomile and lavender above all, and the dyes coming from the agricultural waste, such as artichoke leaves, pomegranate peels, onion peels, olive and cherry pruning residues or chestnut burrs.

WOMEN IN THE FIELD 2

AGRICULTURAL WASTE DRESSED

Women in the Field also wants to answer the question posed by the United Nations with the publication of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Goal No. 12 addresses all of us, urging the development of new production and consumption models that are sustainable in terms of well-being, pollution, and resource recycling. One fact is often overlooked: the textile industry is second only to the oil industry in terms of environmental impact, responsible for 20% of global water waste and 10% of carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, the waste of raw materials is compounded by the contamination of waterways with dangerous chemicals derived from the fiber and dye synthesis processes. The textile industry is therefore urgently called upon to reform itself, especially given the alarming data that predicts global clothing consumption is set to grow by 10%. over 60% by 2030.

Being women in the field, therefore, means loving the land and Italy. Here, an agriculture was born—ours—that embodies tradition, beauty, health, and ethical processes, but also research and sustainable innovation.

The photos are taken from the Facebook page Women in the Field – CIA.

The “Agricola Moderna” project is a candidate for the 2020 Non Sprecare Award. To submit your projects, follow the instructions provided. here.

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