Dewan Mashuq Uz Zaman
In many parts of the world, cotton is grown in large plantations, but in Africa it is almost exclusively cultivated by smallholder farmers using crop rotation. Crop rotation means that the cotton is grown alternately with other crops, such as basic food crops like maize, soy or groundnuts. That reduces both leaching from the soil and the occurrence of pests. Cotton is often a complementary cash crop: it is cultivated for sale, alongside foods grown for subsistence. The cultivation methods imparted by Cotton Made in Africa also support smallholder farmers in growing food and thus make an important contribution to food security.
During this century, Africa has emerged as a frontrunner in the development of environmentally responsible agriculture, with cotton farming being the primary focus of this improvement. Cotton continues to be a highly significant cash crop for export in most African countries, notably in West and Central Africa, because it is the primary source of income for millions of farmers working on a less substantial scale. Because of the environmental and social consequences, conventional cotton farming has altered its practices to become more environmentally friendly. One of the countries that is presently making significant progress in the production of organic cotton is Benin, which is the first country to undergo such a shift. The “Cotton Made in Africa” program is one example of an initiative that is helping to further shape this change by promoting environmentally responsible agricultural techniques, providing inputs of high quality, and increasing the efficiency of supply chain transparency. Cotton remains a strategic crop in Africa, especially for countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. It generates export revenues, as well as employment and income for families in rural areas. Nevertheless, in many countries, cotton production has dwindled in recent years. This is due, in part, to the declining returns that farmers derive from its cultivation.
The production of cotton in Western Africa, Middle Africa, Northern Africa, Southern Africa, and Eastern Africa is 2,617,129 metric tons, 600,275 metric tons, 454,731 metric tons, 43,513 metric tons, and 1,000,643 metric tons, respectively. Thus, Western African countries lead the production of cotton in the continent.
Across the African continent, cotton is also referred to as “white gold.” Agricultural communities in rural areas of nations such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Chad are supported by this crop. Cotton is responsible for about forty percent of Benin’s total export profits and provides employment for more than fifty percent of the country’s rural population. Conventional farming in cotton, on the other hand, is associated with several difficulties, including a high reliance on chemical inputs, such as pesticides and fertilizers, which in turn reduces the quality of the soil, has a negative impact on biodiversity, and is harmful to the health of farm workers.
With an estimated 575,000 hectares of land harvested each year, Burkina Faso is the largest producer of cotton in Africa. It is also the tenth largest producer of cotton worldwide and the sixth largest cotton exporter in the world.
Cotton farming that is both organic and environmentally responsible has emerged as a superior option in response to these issues. It is possible to eliminate the use of synthetic chemicals by cultivating cotton using natural inputs. Organic cotton farming also places an emphasis on ecological balance and the enhancement of soil health, which ultimately leads to a reduction in environmental deterioration. Taking this change into consideration is regarded as significant for the purpose of ensuring the long-term economic stability of farmers and resolving their concerns regarding the environment.
Even though Africa has achieved great development in the production of organic cotton, other nations outside of the continent are also making substantial advances. For example, Bangladesh, which is well-known across the world for its robust textile industry, is progressively shifting its focus towards the production of sustainable cotton in order to satisfy the needs of both the local and international markets for environmentally friendly materials. Despite the fact that cotton is not cultivated to the same extent in Bangladesh as it is in Africa, the government has begun to place a greater emphasis on the procurement of organic cotton in order to lessen its reliance on materials that are imported and to improve the long-term viability of its enormous garment industry. Bangladesh is aiming towards developing transparent supply chains, like the African countries who are participating in the “Cotton Made in Africa” project. This is being done in collaboration with global sustainability efforts. This shift toward sustainability not only satisfies the growing demand from environmentally conscious customers, but it also helps farmers improve their standard of living and lessens the influence that cotton cultivation has on the environment in areas where it is practiced. In addition, Bangladesh has been investing in research and development in order to farm cotton in places that are prone to salinity. The country’s objective is to increase domestic output while simultaneously tackling the environmental issues that are specific to its geography. Through the utilization of both organic and genetically modified cotton that can endure harsh climates, Bangladesh has the aspiration of becoming a significant participant in the production of sustainable cotton, which will ultimately result in an improvement of its status in the global cotton market.
Benin is only one example of the many African countries that are growing their production of organic cotton but there are many others. Due to the fact that it is one of the most important cotton-producing countries in Africa, it has been in the forefront of implementing environmentally friendly farming practices. Organic cotton production in Benin began in the early 2000s, spurred by an increased knowledge of the environmental and health concerns caused by the conventional technique of cultivating cotton. This understanding led to the beginnings of organic cotton cultivation in Benin. The government has played a significant role in advancing this style of farming, particularly via its partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals from other countries.
There is a possibility that organic cotton growing in Benin might boost farmers’ incomes, which is perhaps one of the most major beneficial consequences of organic cotton cultivation. As a result of rising demand from customers and companies that are concerned about the environment, organic cotton often commands a higher price on the international market. By virtue of the reduced costs associated with the acquisition of chemical inputs, organic farming is also more economically viable for farmers operating on a smaller scale. Additionally, the fertility and productivity of the soil have increased throughout time because of the use of organic agriculture techniques that place an emphasis on crop rotation, composting, and natural insect management practises.
Cotton Made in Africa is a program that has been one of the most important things that has played a significant role in ensuring that cotton cultivated in Africa is more environmentally friendly. The Aid by Trade Foundation, which was in existence at the time, initiated it in the year 2005. Benin, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and Zambia are just some of the African nations that take part in this effort, which is sponsored by a large number of partners and aims to increase the production of sustainable cotton across the continent. The Cotton Mills Improvement Association (CMIA) has identified a number of key areas of activity, some of which include the enhancement of the lives of cotton farmers, the preservation of the environment, and complete transparency across the cotton value chain.
For the purpose of enhancing yields while simultaneously minimizing negative effects on the environment, CmiA directs its training and high-value inputs at smallholder farmers. Training is provided on a variety of topics, including but not limited to the management of soil fertility, natural insect control, and effective water usage. In addition, CmiA cotton is cultivated without the use of genetically modified organisms, and it also assures that synthetic pesticides are not used in the cultivation process. Not only are these methods beneficial to the environment, but they also contribute to the improvement of the quality of life for farmers and the communities in which they live. This is accomplished by promoting healthy working conditions and the capacity to perform work with a reduced exposure to hazardous substances.
One of the areas in which the CmiA program really shines is in the way that it places a strong focus on full transparency across the supply chain. From the perspective of both customers and brands, one of the primary goals of the global textile industry is to achieve traceable sourcing in a manner that is both ethical and environmentally responsible. The CmiA badge guarantees that the production of cotton adheres to stringent standards regarding both the environment and society. A market for sustainably produced African cotton has been established by CmiA through collaborations with worldwide merchants and brands. This market has enabled African farmers to obtain access to lucrative global markets, which has been a significant benefit for the farmers.
The CmiA program seeks to incorporate traceability into the cotton supply chain in addition to ensuring that there is transparency throughout their operations. Through the use of blockchain technology, the program is able to monitor the progression of cotton from the farm to the final product. This provides customers with the ability to authenticate the provenance of the cotton that they have purchased. Additionally, it guarantees that ethical and environmentally responsible production methods are preserved along the whole value chain, from the field to the fabric. A transition to sustainable cotton production in Africa has a number of attendant benefits, including the following: for the environment, a reduction in the harmful chemicals that are applied, water conservation, and an improvement in the health of the soil; economically, farmers’ incomes can be increased by affording them access to premium organic cotton markets; socially, this type of farming promotes good working conditions, reduces the health risks that farmers face, and helps in the process of fostering gender equality because women are often involved in cotton farming. These, too, come with their own set of difficulties. It is necessary for farmers who engage in sustainable cotton farming to make investments in training and infrastructure; however, not all farmers are able to perform these investments. In addition, the shift from conventional farming to organic farming is never an easy one; it takes some time for farmers to familiarize themselves with new farming techniques and for the soils to recover from the excessive use of chemicals over the years. In addition, there is no assurance that farmers in rural areas would have access to markets for cotton that is grown organically and in a sustainable manner.
Therefore, the production of sustainable cotton in Africa, particularly from countries such as Benin, represents a turning point for many issues that are associated with the environmental and social repercussions that are brought about by traditional cotton cultivation. Through the provision of assistance to small-scale farmers, the promotion of environmentally responsible techniques, and the guarantee of supply chain transparency, programs such as Cotton Made in Africa are making significant contributions to the field. Through the expansion of Africa’s participation in the global cotton market, sustainable agricultural techniques will become more important in order to guarantee a prosperous future for both people and the earth.
