BRAX from Germany, Jolo Fashion Group from the Netherlands and Shinsegae International from South Korea have joined the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative. They aim to promote sustainable cultivation, protect the environment and improve the working and living conditions of small-scale farmers and their families, currently numbering around 1 million.
“Only with committed partners at our side can we advocate together for small-scale farmers in Africa, their families, and the responsible production of our raw materials now and in the future. Our recent growth shows that companies from around the world, whether small brands or global enterprises, can achieve their own sustainability goals through Cotton made in Africa and make them visible to their customers,” said Tina Stridde, the managing director of the Aid by Trade Foundation and of its CmiA initiative.
As one of the world’s leading initiatives for sustainably produced cotton in Africa, CmiA represents a socially and environmentally responsible basis for the global textile chain. It gives a face to the small-scale farmers who form the bedrock of the fashion industry. Working in accordance with the CmiA standard, some one million small-scale farmers from ten countries in Sub-Saharan Africa currently account for around 30 per cent of African cotton production, CmiA said in a press release.
“Cotton made in Africa has impressed us. The standard addresses both social and ecological aspects of sustainable cotton production. This allows us to source our textiles sustainably and to offer our customers what they are increasingly looking for: a sustainable alternative to conventional goods,” said Shinsegae International Co-CEO and head of jaju division Lee Seock-koo.
According to the most recent study results, CmiA cotton has a significantly smaller ecological footprint than the global average. With greenhouse gas emissions at 13 per cent below the global average for cotton cultivation, CmiA cotton also contributes less to climate change.
Small-scale farmers benefit from agricultural and business training that enables them to improve their yields and cultivation methods. Beyond sustainable cotton production, CmiA actively advocates for issues like healthcare, respect for children’s rights, and equal rights for men and women. This directly contributes to improved awareness of social issues in village communities. Factory workers in the ginneries, where cotton seeds are separated from the fibres by machine, benefit from improved working conditions. Consumers can identify these products through the CmiA label. Each purchase represents a direct investment in improving living conditions and protecting our environment, the release added.
