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Robust Data From the Field

All Trust Protocol grower members enter data from their fields on key sustainability metrics for that crop year, and all data collected is then aggregated. Individual data or information is never shared.

The Trust Protocol focuses on six key sustainability metrics – water use, energy efficiency, land use, soil health, soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. The program’s data collection and verification process contains multiple stages but starts when each grower member answers a self-assessment which is regionalized and classified by irrigated and non-irrigated practices. After growers complete all steps of enrollment, the program provides data in aggregate form. Growers are then able to understand how they compare to their regional, state and national metrics, and are able to adjust their practices as such. The program gives them the opportunity to understand how they measure, and therefore improve.

Data for the 2023/24 year highlights how Trust Protocol grower members are continuously improving, implementing sustainable practices, and are on target to meet or exceed the 2025 National Goals.

The Trust Protocol’s vision is to set a new standard in sustainable cotton production where full transparency is a reality and continuous improvement to improve our environmental footprint is the central goal. Regenerative agriculture aims for net positives, and calls for growers to continually improve their practices and techniques. Practices such as conservation tillage and cover crops aid soil health and increase soil carbon levels.

Yield and Land Use Metrics

Protocol growers continue to outperform national yield averages, achieving a 14% improvement that highlights the program's commitment to best management practices.

Water Use Metrics

Protocol growers showed a 14% increase in water use efficiency compared to the 2015 baseline, demonstrating progress toward the 2025 National Goal, while highlighting the importance of considering diverse climate conditions.

Energy Use Metrics

Trust Protocol growers surpassed the 2025 National Goal for energy reduction, demonstrating 27% less energy use compared to 2015, emphasizing the importance of analyzing energy use throughout the supply chain.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Metrics

With a 21% decrease in GHG emissions per pound of fiber compared to 2015, Trust Protocol growers are making consistent progress. Data transparency is also being used to identify key areas for further improvement, like nitrogen management.

Soil Conservation Metrics

When compared to the 2015 National baseline, Protocol growers have achieved a remarkable 79% reduction in soil loss, exceeding conservation standards, and highlighting a strong commitment to soil health. This result is lower than the NRCS target for soil loss of 3-5 tons per acre per year.

Soil Carbon Metrics

With 74% of growers achieving a positive Soil Conditioning Index in 2023/24, the program is on track to achieve its goal of 30% grower soil carbon improvement by 2025, underscoring the commitment to long-term soil health.

Transparency in Action

2024 Annual Report

If you’re interested in learning more about the Trust Protocol’s important work to date, and what comes next, download our 2024 Annual Report

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Deepika Mishra

Standards and Data Lead (consultant)

Deepika Mishra is the Standards and Data Lead for the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, acting as a consultant for the program. As an accomplished scientist and data analytics specialist, Deepika leads on analysis of the Trust Protocol’s environmental metrics. She collaborates extensively with agricultural research institutions, conservation groups, and food and trade organizations, playing a vital role in the establishment of sustainability and social standards within the industry.

Deepika earned her Ph.D. in plant and soil science from Texas Tech University, specializing in cotton breeding and genetics. With over a decade of experience, she has spearheaded diverse agricultural projects in both India and the United States, covering crops like cotton, cowpeas, castor, sesame, guar, guayule, tomato, and field pennycress (cover crop). Her contributions also include the development and release of multiple cowpea varieties in India during her M.S. studies in vegetable breeding and genetics.