CmiA training positively affects lives of small-scale farmers: Study

Cotton made in Africa's (CmiA) training has been positively affecting the living and working conditions of participating cotton farmers, according to a report. The study by Syspons, an independent consulting firm, has shown that CmiA can improve the lives of the small-scale farmers and their families at many levels, in particular through its training activities.

 

Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) has been positively affecting the living and working conditions of participating cotton farmers, according to a report. The study by Syspons, an independent consulting firm, has shown that CmiA can improve the lives of the small-scale farmers and their families at many levels, in particular through its training activities.#

On the occasion of the World Cotton Day on October 7, which was launched in 2019 by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) draws attention to cotton farmers in Africa. “Challenges are growing around the globe. In addition to its negative impact on global ecosystems, climate change is exacerbating the social problems faced by small-scale farmers throughout the world,” AbTF said in a statement.

 

Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) has been positively affecting the living and working conditions of participating cotton farmers, according to a report. The study by Syspons, an independent consulting firm, has shown that CmiA can improve the lives of the small-scale farmers and their families at many levels, in particular through its training activities.#

The study was conducted between October 2019 and June 2021 evaluating how the training programme and the CmiA's verification process affect the farmers’ living conditions. The two comprehensive case studies conducted in Zambia and Côte d’Ivoire involved household surveys of cotton farmers, focus-group discussions with village communities, and qualitative interviews with industry experts.

 

Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) has been positively affecting the living and working conditions of participating cotton farmers, according to a report. The study by Syspons, an independent consulting firm, has shown that CmiA can improve the lives of the small-scale farmers and their families at many levels, in particular through its training activities.#

“An area of strength is the training CmiA offers small-scale farmers, which has proven to lead to increased cotton yields if conducted regularly. It can also contribute to positive cultural shifts in the village communities, where awareness has grown for the importance of education, gender equality, children’s rights, health and environmental protection through better chemical-handling practices. For its part, the CmiA verification process proved helpful for the ongoing improvement of the local cotton companies’ management abilities, ultimately enabling them to enforce respect for issues like children’s rights, gender equality, and workplace safety,” the German foundation added.

 

Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) has been positively affecting the living and working conditions of participating cotton farmers, according to a report. The study by Syspons, an independent consulting firm, has shown that CmiA can improve the lives of the small-scale farmers and their families at many levels, in particular through its training activities.#

In Côte d’Ivoire, the evaluation results revealed that a favourable market environment makes it possible for CmiA’s approach to reach its full potential. Combined with a stable cotton price set at the national level, the way the country's cotton industry is structured has a beneficial effect and ensures the farmers’ income and planning stability. Under these circumstances, CmiA was able to offer the farmers steady knowledge transfers and skill development through its training programme. Comparisons to data from 2015 reveal that the average farming family in Côte d’Ivoire is now earning nearly 18 per cent more from CmiA cotton sales.

 

Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) has been positively affecting the living and working conditions of participating cotton farmers, according to a report. The study by Syspons, an independent consulting firm, has shown that CmiA can improve the lives of the small-scale farmers and their families at many levels, in particular through its training activities.#

“The effects of climate change are already apparent and becoming increasingly noticeable. They represent a major challenge for small-scale farmers in Africa, especially due to erratic rainfall. The farmers are also facing pressure from declining soil fertility, which can be traced back to decreasing biodiversity and increasing pest infestations,” the report further added.

 

Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) has been positively affecting the living and working conditions of participating cotton farmers, according to a report. The study by Syspons, an independent consulting firm, has shown that CmiA can improve the lives of the small-scale farmers and their families at many levels, in particular through its training activities.#

Cotton made in Africa will continually develop its training programme in order to expand its positive influence on living conditions in the village communities and to strengthen the small-scale farmers’ resilience to external factors. “In light of the progression of climate change and its implications for small-scale farmers, we will invest more strongly in climate-smart agricultural practices. We are happy that textile companies and brands have displayed steadily greater demand for CmiA-verified cotton in recent years. This enables us to secure financing for these forward-looking projects,” Tina Stridde, managing director of the Aid by Trade Foundation, said in a press release. 

 

Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) has been positively affecting the living and working conditions of participating cotton farmers, according to a report. The study by Syspons, an independent consulting firm, has shown that CmiA can improve the lives of the small-scale farmers and their families at many levels, in particular through its training activities.#