“Seed is not just the source of life. It is the very foundation of our being.” -Vandana Shiva
FRIENDS OF NAVDANYA was created to support and expand the work of Navdanya, a women-led movement founded 30 years ago by environmentalist Dr. Vandana Shiva to defend seed & food sovereignty of small farmers. Central to Navdanya’s mission is the vision of an EARTH DEMOCRACY, a new agricultural & economic paradigm where seed, food & ecological justice takes precedence over profits in today’s global food system; & where economic security, biodiversity, & the mitigation of climate change are achieved via regenerative agroecology. HELP US SEED THE FUTURE FOR FARMERS & THE EARTH.
The Real Cost of GMO Cotton
India is a major player in the global cotton industry, contributing approximately 21% of the world’s cotton production in the 2024/25 season. As the second-largest cotton producer globally, what happens on Indian farms has ripple effects across the world—in the clothes we wear, the sheets we sleep in, and the textile industries that drive global fashion. But behind this massive contribution lies a crisis that’s been growing quietly for over two decades.
Bt cotton is genetically modified to protect the cotton plant against specific pests like the bollworm by producing Bt toxins, an insecticidal protein. BT cotton now covers more than 90% of India’s cotton farms. It was marketed as a miracle seed that would reduce pesticide use and boost farmer income. But the reality has had shattering results. The GMO seeds and farmer yields have proven unreliable, creating more and more pesticide and fertilizer use with unreasonable costs, forcing farmers into insurmountable debt and a cycle of despair. Devastatingly, over 400,000 farmer suicides have been linked to these crop failures, including a 32% increase reported in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region in just the first quarter of 2025.
Navdanya’s research shows Bt cotton hasn’t only failed farmers—it’s harmed ecosystems. Bt fields are marked by weakened soil health, diminished pollinator activity, and pesticide-resistant pests. Meanwhile, organic cotton grown with indigenous seeds has shown stronger resilience, especially under extreme weather conditions.
Navdanya has trained over 500,000 farmers, built 54 community seed banks, and championed seed freedom and Earth democracy. Across India, farmers are reclaiming their land, livelihoods, and legacy—one Indian Desi Cotton plant at a time. Farmers aren’t just challenging an industry; they’re reshaping it for a future rooted in biodiversity, resilience, and justice.
To better understand the roots of this crisis and the solutions growing from it, we recommend the documentary Bitter Harvest & Navdanya’s Seed Freedom: A Global Citizens’ Report—essential tools for anyone ready to stand with farmers and create change.
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THE FARM
Since the 1980’s, Dehradun, India has been home to the Navdanya farm and Bija Vidyapeeth/Earth University. The thriving organic farm, biodiversity research center, and seed bank welcomes farmers, students, researchers and thought leaders from all over the world to come learn and engage in nature surrounded by the Himalayas.
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WHY DONATE?
When you contribute to Friends of Navdanya, your support strengthens the mission of Navdanya to create farmer self-reliance, defend seed & food sovereignty, and preserve Earth Democracy. Join us in advancing this vital work for the future of our planet and the well-being of farmers globally.
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THE MOVEMENT
The Navdanya Movement began with a focus on seed freedom and agroecology and has expanded to include food for health, climate resilience, corporate control & economic democracy, and Earth democracy. It began with Navdanya in India and expanded globally with the creation of Navdanya International and the addition of Friends of Navdanya.
