A multi-stakeholder workshop will be held today in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, by Better Cotton, the largest cotton sustainability effort in the world, to discuss the possibility of new initiatives and collaborations throughout West and Central Africa.
The event, which will take place at the Pullman Hotel, Plateau, will give important stakeholders in the area the chance to exchange experiences and viewpoints on how to produce cotton sustainably on the continent in the face of a fast changing environment. The chance to learn more about Better Cotton Programs and the long-term goals that guide its 2030 Plan will also be available to delegates.
Participants in conversations to explore potential and problems related sustainability in the cotton industry will include representatives from top firms and organisations, including Solidaridad, The Sustainable Trade Initiative [IDH], ECOM, OlamAgri, and APROCOT-CI, among others. as well as interacting with stakeholders from the cocoa business to learn about other commodities. In order to create multistakeholder collaboration and launch successful Better Cotton programmes, Better Cotton is actively interacting with sector players across West and Central Africa, in nations including Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, and Cameroon.
Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Chad, collectively known as the Cotton-4, made an appeal for assistance in November at the World Trade Organization’s Cotton Days event to boost the resilience of their cotton industry.
According to a report from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) at the time, cotton production in the four countries would expand over the ensuing years, provided that the necessary steps are taken to encourage sustainability standards, give women and young people more influence, and cut back on trade-distorting subsidies.
“The event marks a crucial chance for cotton stakeholders in Africa to meet with one another and explore collaborations needed to promote market access and increased sustainability for cotton growers,” said Damien Sanfilippo, senior director of Programs at Better Cotton.
In order to help smallholder farmers mitigate climate change and embrace a continuous improvement strategy for sustainable agricultural practise, Better Cotton is committed to expanding its presence across Africa. Better Cotton is perfectly positioned to meet supply with rising demand thanks to a membership that spans farm to retailer and brand level. Smallholder farmers receive training and resources from programme partners at the farm level to enable social and environmental improvements that lead to more climate-resilient operations. which in turn support farmers’ livelihoods
