Better Cotton is making significant strides in expanding its presence in Côte d’Ivoire, with ambitious plans to support 200,000 farmers within the next five years. As the world's largest sustainability initiative, the Better Cotton Initiative has strategically chosen the Professional Association of Cotton Companies of Côte d’Ivoire (APROCOT-CI) as its key partner in this transformative program. The primary objective is to provide comprehensive training and resources to farmers, aiming to enhance the yield of sustainable cotton.
Additionally, the initiative will closely monitor efforts to fortify climate resilience and improve the overall profitability of farming communities. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in May, Côte d’Ivoire is projected to produce 700,000 bales of cotton for the 2023/24 season. This collaboration with APROCOT-CI underscores Better Cotton's commitment to fostering positive change in the local cotton industry by uplifting the livelihoods of smallholders.
APROCOT-CI's Strategic Alliance with Better Cotton
Jean Francois Toure, President of APROCOT-CI, emphasized the strategic alliance's focus on leveraging Better Cotton's sustainable farming practices alongside APROCOT-CI's local expertise. The goal is to augment cotton yields, minimize environmental impact, and enhance the social and economic outcomes for farmers in the region.
APROCOT-CI, operating through a network of six member organizations including CIDT, Ivoire Coton, Global Cotton SA, CO.I.-SA, SICOSA 2.0, and SECO SA, submitted a Declaration of Interest to Better Cotton last year, outlining the plans for the program now being launched. Better Cotton convened stakeholders in Abidjan in March to articulate the scope and impact of this initiative.
The addition of Côte d’Ivoire to Better Cotton’s Africa membership roster underscores the organization's dedication to aiding smallholders in mitigating climate change and adopting sustainable agricultural practices. Better Cotton's extensive reach across the cotton sector, from farms to retail and brands, positions it well to meet the growing demand for sustainable cotton production.
Alan McClay's Optimism for Better Cotton's Expansion
Alan McClay, Better Cotton CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion into Côte d’Ivoire, highlighting the critical role of the partnership with APROCOT-CI in delivering impactful work in the country. He emphasized the potential for domestic cotton farmers to reap both environmental and economic rewards through more sustainable cotton production.
During the 2021-2022 cotton season, Better Cotton provided training in sustainable farming practices to 2.9 million farmers across 22 countries. Notably, 2.2 million farmers received Better Cotton licenses, indicating a substantial commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture on a global scale.