Launched three years ago with EUR 1 million in total volume, a project called “Growing Benin’s Organic Cotton Sector” aimed to support small-scale farmers in transitioning to organic cotton cultivation in accordance with the Cotton made in Africa Organic standard, to avoid the use of synthetic pesticides, and to further develop the organic cotton sector, thereby securing the future of farming communities.
The project has proved a success as participating cotton farmers are benefiting from higher incomes. Due to its positive results, the project will now be extended into a second phase. Implemented by OBEPAB (Organisation Béninoise pour la Promotion de l’Agriculture Biologique), the project was funded by BMZ (the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) in collaboration with GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) UK, Paul Reinhart AG, and the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF).
Reaching nearly 9,000 farmers, the community project doubled the number of cotton farmers who have switched to growing organic cotton in Benin. They are benefiting from the project’s broad array of measures, which not only enabled them to switch from conventional cotton to CmiA Organic production but also contributed to a significant increase in their incomes. Within three years, the production of organic cotton verified under CmiA Organic grew by 65 percent; the profitability of small-scale farms increased as well, by an average of 9 percent. In addition to the crucial transfer of knowledge on agricultural topics such as organic pest management or seed varieties—conducted via training courses, workshops, and other events—the project also focussed on empowering women. For instance, the proportion of women holding leadership positions in the committees of the co-operatives had increased by 30 percent by the end of the project.
Benjamin Mohr, the deputy manager of the program “Sustainability and Value Creation in Supply Chains” (AgriChains) at GIZ, comments, “Through AgriChains, one of our global programmes, we are making agricultural supply chains green, fair, and inclusive. By bringing together businesses, governments, and civil society, we can address global challenges through joint action. In Benin, we are doing just that: connecting and strengthening stakeholders throughout the cotton supply chain, from farm to market.” He adds, “We are focussing on the organic cotton sector in Benin and its links to global markets, with the ultimate aim of building up the resilience of cotton-growing communities.” Rajan Bhopal, International Project Manager, Pesticide Action Network UK, is pleased with the results of the project: “This project demonstrates the impact that high-quality farmer support has on supporting cotton farmers livelihoods and resilience. By adopting agroecological practices and locally-produced bio-inputs, organic farmers in Benin are growing healthy crops with much lower costs, leading to significantly improved income, better health and improved soils.”
CmiA Field Trip to Benin unites stakeholders and partners on the ground
In October 2024, we had the pleasure of celebrating collaboration and driving change during an inspiring Cotton made in Africa Field Trip to Benin. This experience allowed us to trace the journey from finished textile products back to the cotton fields.
The visit provided a remarkable opportunity to witness how a strong coalition and shared investments in organic farming techniques as well as sustainable ginning processes contribute to establish a gowing CmiA Organic sector in Benin. These efforts are essential for creating a climate-resilient and transparent cotton industry where farmers stand in the center of joint engagement and profit from it.
We met small-scale farmers who grow cotton according to the CmiA Organic standard and their communities, observe firsthand how the adoption of CmiA organic farming techniques has led to an increase in both profitability and engaged with workers at the ginning factory of CmiA partner SECO allowing us for meaningful discussions on implementing decent working conditions and health and safety measures in accordance with CmiA standards. On top of that we visited the newly built textile park where CmiA Organic cotton bales are processed to final garments for the global market.
The cotton farmers are very important to The Aid by Trade Foundation. We are pleased to have successfully supported them in switching to organic cotton, and we look forward to continuing to do so together with OBEPAB, which plays a key role in this effort.
An inspiring visit that enhanced the visibility of organic cotton and strengthened OBEPAB’s credibility among partners, showcasing the great potential of CmiA Organic in Benin.
We met motivated farmers committed to growing high-quality organic cotton that is good for the environment and the health of their families. Everything is in place to expand organic production and to establish Benin as a destination of choice for both the procurement and the processing of organic cotton. We are therefore pleased to start a new phase of co-operation with OBEPAB, Reinhart, AbTF, PAN UK, and SODECO.
In addition to CmiA Organic from Tanzania, which has been an integral part of the supply chain for several years, we are now able to offer another origin with Benin CmiA Organic Cotton, which is known for its excellent quality characteristics.
Improving cotton’s environmental and social footprint requires collective effort. International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) works hand in hand with organizations around the world to support farmers—especially smallholders—by sharing knowledge and innovative ideas to help them adopt sustainable practices. Together, we’re building a stronger future for cotton! Thank you, Aid by Trade Foundation and CmiA, for inviting us to this inspiring field visit to connect with organic cotton farmers.“
Around 30 percent of cotton produced in Africa is verified under CmiA or CmiA Organic. It is in great demand internationally, with regular purchasers including well-known brands and retailers. Recently, the fashion juggernaut Bestseller reported buying a record volume of CmiA Organic cotton from Africa.
