Furthermore, non-organic cotton production is hugely damaging for both the people who handle the crop and the environment around it. It is responsible for the release of US$2 billion worth of chemical pesticides and accounts for 25% of world pesticide use. At least 1 million farm workers are hospitalised every year due to pesticide poisoning, often resulting in death. These chemicals also seep into local ecosystems, indirectly poisoning nearby communities. Farmers often suffer from shortness of breath, skin disease, migraines, depression and even cancer as a result of these toxic inputs. In fact, we have interviewed several cotton farmers in Orissa, and they all had the same stories of ill health before converting to organic. We feel proud to work with such wonderful partners!