Supporting the sustainable cotton production (SSCP)

in Côte d’Ivoire, Chad and Togo

Promoting sustainable cotton production with fewer inputs and less negative environmental impact.

Partners

• Olam International: 
  Founded in 1989, the food and agriculture company is the second-largest global cotton trader in the world, with a value chain spanning more than 60 countries and direct as well as indirect links to approximately five million people in production, processing, distribution, and trading.
• Solidaridad Network West Africa: 
  Solidaridad is an international civil organisation with more than 50 years of global experience in promoting the development of socially responsible, environmentally sound, and economically viable commodity supply chains. Since 2012, Solidaridad Network West Africa has been active as an affiliate along the cotton supply chain, among others.
• Société d’Exploitation Cotonnière Olam (SECO): 
  Founded in 2008, Olam's subsidiary in Côte d'Ivoire focuses on cotton farming and is a partner to over half of all cotton farmers in the country.
• Nouvelle Société Cotonniere du Togo (NSCT): 
  Founded in 2009 and absorbed by Olam in 2020, the cotton company is committed to the development of cotton cultivation in Togo.
• Cotontchad SN: 
  Founded in 1971, the cotton company is jointly owned by Olam and the government of Chad and supports cooperatives in cotton production by providing high-quality seeds and other inputs, among other things.

Project description

Since November 2021, the consortium supports approximately 32,500 cotton farmers in sustainable cotton production. The aim is to increase the farmers’ resilience against climate change through a lower use of inputs and a reduction in negative environmental impacts. In addition, an increased cotton production will help improve farmers' livelihoods, considering the growing worldwide demand for sustainably produced cotton.

Through the establishment of a Cotton Farmers Academy, on the one hand, the capacities of the farmers are trained in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), in financial business management topics and on cotton certification standards. On the other hand, several cooperatives will be established and strengthened in an academy for cotton cooperatives as a first step.

In addition, Rural Services Centres (RSCs) are being established, which serve as incubators for entrepreneurial ideas and are tailored to local market conditions. Like this, agronomy challenges can be tackled and aligned with climate, socially and environmentally friendly operations on the farms. The RSC model will play an important role in developing viable services for farmers and reducing youth unemployment.