Kala cotton is indigenous to the Indian region of Kachchh and is easily grown organically, as the farmers do not need to use any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers as this cotton thrives in its native environment. Kala is a purely rain fed crop that has a high tolerance for both disease and pests, and requires minimal investment, it is resilient and resurgent in the face of difficult land conditions that change frequently with seismic movement in the area.
Following a devastating and deadly earthquake in January 2001, many of the kala cotton farmers and artisans of Kachchh decided to join together to form a cooperative to help preserve the rich cultural livelihood of the district. Working in ancient methods to grow and process the indigenous kala cotton, the textiles from this coop are very similar to how they would have been in ancient times- they are spun, dyed and woven by hand using local plant dyes and traditional tools that provide an authentically slub heavy texture with varied hues throughout.