BCI started its first operations in Africa in 2010 and now runs programmes directly in four African countries: Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and South Africa. In the 2018-19 cotton season, large farms improved their approach to precision agriculture (using satellite data, remote sensing devices and data gathering technologies) to help optimise the way they manage their farms. You give us your permission to do so by continuing to use our website. Smaller tea gardens are also starting to develop in the regions of Burundi, Cameroon, Congo- Zaire, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and for tracking purposes. The Greek cotton industry has shown a small interest in organic cotton. Most cotton grown in Africa is grown by smallholders (farmers farming on less than twenty hectares of land). This partnership means that BCI does not introduce a parallel scheme in countries where AbTF and CmiA are already delivering benefits to smallholder farmers. Other leading cotton … Many farmers qualifying under CmiA are now able to market their cotton as Better Cotton or Cotton made in Africa, depending on the demand in the market. 5 outlines cotton imports into South Africa for the past ten market-ing seasons. Cotton from Cotton made in Africa is produced by smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa in accordance with CmiA standard criteria. The aim is also to provide textile companies and traders with increased access to more sustainable cotton. Cotton made in Africa. Cotton grows well in a warm and moist climate where summer is long and where there is salinity in the soil, this makes Sub-Saharan Africa one of the largest cotton … These farmers tend to have a limited access to inputs such as water and pesticides and achieve low yields. To learn more about cookies and opt-out options, please refer to our Cookie and Data Privacy Policy. Over this period of time, China’s GDP has grown more than 10-fold, ranking #2 in the world today. Multiple African Countries: Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), Task Force on Forced Labour and Decent Work. Specifically, this means that the cotton is grown under rain-fed conditions, cultivated using pesticides and fertilisers in an effective and responsible way, and harvested by … Cotton is a natural fibre grown on a plant related to the commonly-found garden species hibiscus. Opinion - Cotton lint is the most important input in the textile industry. To be considered “Supima,” Pima cotton can only be grown in the United States with organic cultivation practices. Although world cotton production is dominated by China, India and the US, cotton is vital for the survival of many low income countries in Central and West Asia and Africa – it accounts, in value terms, for 26.4 per cent of Benin’s exports and 58.7 per cent of Burkina Faso’s. 5. Angora goats are raised for mohair, while sheep produce Merino wool crops in Africa. East Africa - Crop Production Maps. These farmers tend to have a limited access to inputs such as water and pesticides and achieve … About 8% of the cotton traded in the world market is harvested in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cotton production in Burkina Faso is continuing its downward slide three years after the nation phased out the use of pest-resistant genetically modified (GM) cotton. The major challenge with cotton farming is that the farming process is highly capital and labor intensive. Greece imports only a small amount of cotton, but its exports are significant, making Greece the fourth largest cotton exporter in the world (USDA Economic and Statistics System). Cotton has been a major cash crop in Africa, mainly in Nigeria, the areas cotton is grown in Nigeria is concentrated in the Savannah belts of the country which is the Northern & South Western Nigeria such … Ultimately, the aim of the partnership is to improve the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cotton made in Africa is a project initiative launched and managed by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), headquartered in Hamburg. The earliest evidence of the use of cotton in the Old World, dated to 5500 BC and preserved in copper beads, has been found at the Neolithic site of Mehrgarh, at the foot of the Bolan Pass in Balochistan, Pakistan. US bans cotton, tomato imports from China’s Xinjiang Order directs US ports to detain cotton, tomato products grown, produced by entities operating in … The number of countries planting biotech crops on the continent has grown from three in 2018 to six in 2019. Texas is the United States’ largest cotton producer; it accounts for approximately 45 percent of all the country’s cotton production. Cotton has been a major cash crop in Africa, mainly in Nigeria, the areas cotton is grown in Nigeria is concentrated in the Savannah belts of the country which is the Northern & South Western Nigeria such as Kano, Kaduna, Oyo, Ondo, Kwara, Katsina, Jigawa, Ogun, Kebbi, Sokoto & Zamfara state. Fig. Interestingly, the clothing and fabrics found in the ancient tombs of Egypt were always flax fibre and never from cotton. Textile companies can now procure cotton produced from CmiA verified cotton companies – click here to see the updated list of verified companies. This will, in turn, increase the sale of more sustainable African cotton on the world market, consequently improving economic and environmental sustainability of smallholder farmers on the continent. Multiple African Countries: Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) The African continent represents 5% of global cotton production and more than 9% of the worlds cotton exports. It produces 3,999 thousand metric tonnes a year. In 2013, following three years of collaboration, BCI completed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), owners of the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) Standard and Smallholder Cotton Standard (SCS). Cotton is planted during October and harvested at the beginning of the winter season, from April to July, when temperatures can drop below freezing point on winter evenings. Cotton imports Source: Agricultural Statistics FIG. Growing Season: 2011-12 Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda General Staple Lengths: Short, Medium & Long No. Cotton is grown in small pockets throughout the entire country. To advance South Africa to an environmentally responsible future, the cotton industry is continuing with the development and implementation of new technologies and methods of cotton production and manufacturing, and developing new uses for the cotton plant that will result in meeting consumer needs and to balance productivity and profit, without compromising the ability of […] FIG. This gives increased flexibility to farmers whilst avoiding additional costs. The crop is mostly grown within the “Cotton Belt”, an area that comprises 17 southern states including Virginia, Arizona, Mississippi and Texas. How Does Cotton Fabric Impact the Environment? Mali is the largest producer in this region followed by Burkina Faso, Benin and Senegal. of Producer Groups: 9 No. Cotton pant is a shrub and native of tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Africa, Egypt, America, and India. At about the same time, natives of Egypt’s Nile valley were making and wearing cotton clothing. Ostriches are used to produce leather products, while goats are often farmed for milk or meat. Cotton is now grown in five main regions; Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and North-West Provinces. Usually, the major share of the capital goes into acquiring the land. Cotton is now grown in five main regions; Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and North-West Provinces. Cotton production in Burkina Faso is continuing its downward slide three years after the nation phased out the use of pest-resistant genetically modified (GM) cotton. “Our training and support goes beyond sustainable agricultural practices. You can either acquire or lease your land depending on your preference. Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) is an internationally recognised standard for sustainable cotton from Africa. The cotton plant also produces a fruit called bolls which are used as the food. We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and for tracking purposes. Production can be challenging, as the crop is prone to attack by a wide variety of pests, especially African bollworm and sucking pests like aphids and whiteflies. This statistic shows the world's leading cotton producing countries in crop year 2019. In South Africa cotton was planted in the Western Cape as early as 1690. Find out more about the success, challenges and key changes that happened in the 2018-19 cotton season in the Better Cotton Country Snapshots. We also work with cotton companies and retail partners to invest in community projects focused on women’s empowerment, education, nature protection, water and hygiene, which provide broader benefits to cotton-producing communities.” – Tina Stridde, Managing Director at Aid by Trade Foundation. African fish farm crops include trout, tilapia, catfish, oysters and mussels. Chad: Ethiopia: Kenya: Tanzania: Sudan: South Sudan: Uganda: Cotton Cotton is one of the few crops that is cultivated as a cash crop, exclusively for export purposes. Cotton is one of the most important cash crops on the continent. Cotton Made in Africa is a project based on standards and criteria designed to help the socio-economic development of smallholder cotton farmers in sub-Saharan Africa through trade and to improve the social, ecological, and economic living conditions of these agricultural communities. An independent study comparing the two standards led to a benchmarking agreement between BCI and AbTF, whereby the cotton verified as CmiA/SCS can also be sold as Better Cotton (but not vice versa). 2020. Cotton is grown by smallholder farmers and large commercial farms in Ethiopia’s southern Rift Valley. Cotton production is inherently non-impactful on the environment. Some of the main crops grown in Africa include cereals and grains, such as corn, wheat and rice, and legumes and fodder, such as beans, groundnut and cowpea. Cotton South Africa is BCI’s Implementing Partner in South Africa. Cotton seeds are planted in spring and the plant grows into green, bushy shrubs about one metre in height. The Rise and Decline of Cotton Growing in Kenya. Better Cotton is grown in the subtropical highlands of the Loskop area, … Angora goats are raised for mohair, while sheep produce Merino wool crops in Africa. In fact, the country barely produced any cocoa until the 1980s. Find out more about the success, challenges and key changes that happened in the 2018-19 cotton season in the Better Cotton Country Snapshots. Since 2005, CmiA has been committed to protecting the environment while improving working and living conditions for smallholder farmers and ginnery workers. Most cotton grown in Africa is grown by smallholders (farmers farming on less than twenty hectares of land). Last April, the Inter-professional Cotton Association of Burkina (AICB), an industry body comprising farmers and other sector players, set a production target of 800,000 tonnes for the 2018-19 cotton … Cotton crops in Africa are grown both with irrigation systems and on dry land. Last April, the Inter-professional Cotton Association of Burkina (AICB), an industry body comprising farmers and other sector players, set a production target of 800,000 tonnes for the 2018-19 cotton season. Supima cotton is a type Pima cotton that has received the blessing of the American Supima Association (ASA). Cotton crops in Africa are grown both with irrigation systems and on dry land. Naturally occurring wild cotton types in Africa are found mostly in Sudan, but these could have been brought to the continent by Arab traders. Building smallholders’ capacity and helping them gain access to vital funding and inputs remains an important priority for BCI in the years ahead. Agriculture employs 65 percent of Africa's labor force and is responsible for 32 percent of its gross domestic product. Cotton farming is best done in commercial quantities; hence you’ll need a large expanse. Who is BCI’s Implementing Partner in South Africa? Image: Licensed CmiA Farmers © Martin J. Kielmann for CmiA. Africa exported 975306 tons of cotton lint in 2017, major importers of African cotton are Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, and Malaysia. By official estimates, cotton lint makes up for the 85% of the total cotton income while the rest is from the cotton seed. Where is cotton grown in the world? In that year, cotton … Giza 45, Giza 87 and Giza 93, represents less than one percent of the total local … The cotton plant makes up cotton lint which is the fabric like material and makes up 42 of the total weight of the plant. Some pioneer settlers thought cotton might succeed in East Africa. Cotton was finally adapted to grow in more temperate climates by the Islamic Agricultural Revolution, and between 900–1000 CE, a boom in cotton production spread into Persia, Southwest Asia, North Africa, and the Mediterranean Basin. Africa. Cocoa cultivation in Indonesia is a relatively new industry. The greatest diversity of cotton species is found in Africa… Cotton was finally adapted to grow in more temperate climates by the Islamic Agricultural Revolution, and between 900–1000 CE, a boom in cotton production spread into Persia, Southwest Asia, North Africa… of Farmers: 25,584 No. Cotton may have been grown in the Xinjiang (China) province cities of Turfan and Khotan by the 8th century CE. The most commercially grown cotton species is Gossypium hirsutum, first developed by the Mayan civilisation in Mexico. South Africa is a net importer of cotton lint and between 40 to 60 % of its cotton needs is imported annually. Today Africa produces nearly half a million tons of tea annually, grown primarily in the African nations of Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. In South Africa cotton was planted in the Western Cape as early as 1690. The first harvest of Better Cotton took place in the 2016-17 cotton season. Multiple African Countries: Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), Task Force on Forced Labour and Decent Work. Sorghum, millet, corn and rice are grown as subsistence crops with cash crops including groundnuts, cotton seed, cotton fibre and sesame. of Women Farmers: 6,625 Organic Cotton Production Area: 38,821 ha Seed Cotton Production: 21,721 mt Fiber (lint) Production: 8,922 mt Bales (US) of Cotton Lint: 40,952 Cotton … You give us your permission to do so by continuing to use our website. Opinion - Cotton lint is the most important input in the textile industry. Most cotton grown in Africa is grown by smallholders (farmers farming on less than twenty hectares of land). Cotton Production in Sub-Saharan Africa According to Baffes (2004), African cotton is almost exclusively grown by smallholder farmers, using sustainable growing methods with harmony between agriculture, the natural environment and human beings. Cotton Cotton grows in warm climates and most of the world’s cotton is grown in the U.S., Uzbekistan, the People’s Republic of China and India. Leasing should be at least 10 years so that you can have adequate time to obtain a reasonable return on your investment. ... Over a third of China's oil comes from Africa, as does 20% of the country’s cotton. 5. To learn more about cookies and opt-out options, please refer to our Cookie and Data Privacy Policy. AbTF was founded in 2005 by Dr. Michael Otto, the Hamburg business entrepreneur and Chairman of Otto Group.Cotton marketed under the badge is produced according to strict criteria for environmental, economic and social sustainability. Indonesia is the only one of the top five cocoa-producing countries that is not located in Africa, but in Southeast Asia. Better Cotton is grown in the subtropical highlands of the Loskop area, at the West of the KwaZulu-Natal province. However, cotton farming became more challenging for smallholder farmers, who lacked access to necessary government funding and support to grow cotton crops. In the 2018-19 cotton season, 646 licensed BCI Farmers produced 18,000 tonnes of Better Cotton lint on 18,000 hectares. Heavy pesticide use has had serious health and environmental consequences. So the British East Africa Corporation Ltd was established in 1906 with the aim of spreading the work of the British Cotton Growing Association, a body designed to encourage cotton growing in the British Empire and to establish cotton … Cotton Exporter Africa. © Martin J. Kielmann for CmiA traditionally been seen as high throughout the country. Continent represents 5 % of its gross domestic product the total weight of the plant. Heavy pesticide use has had serious health and environmental consequences global cotton production and more than 10-fold, #. 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