Making cotton production in Burkina Faso more sustainable and supporting local cotton processing

Context

Cotton is Burkina Faso's leading agricultural export product and a key development factor for the country. However, cotton yields have remained stagnant in recent years due to extreme climate conditions, pests, and limited access to fertilisers.

In addition, only two per cent of Burkina Faso’s cotton are locally processed. Local textile workers often have only limited access to technical services, financing, and training. As a result, Burkina Faso exports most of its cotton fibre production without any substantial processing, thus limiting the potential contribution to the national economy.

Objective

The cotton value chain in Burkina Faso provides better incomes for farmers and textile workers while contributing to more sustainable cotton production.

Approach

The project follows a value chain approach and cooperates with international firms in the cotton supply chain to drive structural change in the whole sector. It focuses on two key aspects: fostering sustainable cotton production and enhancing cotton processing stages, from yarn production to finished products.

Together with its partners, the project strives to increase the local organic cotton production and encourages farmers to diversify crops and thereby promotes healthier and more sustainable farming practices.

At the same time the project supports the local processing of cotton. A key activity involves boosting the technical and organisational capacities of women-led groups in production as well as processing. In the field of industrial transformation, the project works together with the business association Maison de l'Entreprise du Burkina Faso to conceptualise projects and make bank credits accessible for the textile industry.

Last update: November 2023