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In Côte d'Ivoire, we work with 20,000 farmers over 100,000 ha of cotton farming area. We have improved average yields from 500 kg/ha in 2008 to 1,212 kg/ha in 2021. We set up quality committees to provide training to farmers, transporters and co-operative managers. We distributed de-linted seeds to increase plant density which has improved yields and farmer revenues by 20%. Our operations in Côte d'Ivoire are Cotton Made in Africa (CMiA) and Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) certified.

In Chad, following the acquisition of a majority stake in Cotontchad in 2018, we have supported close to 200,000 farmers with agri-inputs, financing and price support to grow the crop from 17,500 tons of seed-cotton in 2019 to 146,000 tons in 2022. Better seed de-linting has resulted in higher plant population. Training on agronomy practices has helped increase yield from 400 kg/ha to 530 kg/ha. Our Chad operations are CMiA certified and BCI implementation is underway.

In Togo, following the acquisition of a majority interest in NSCT in 2020, we have worked with 68,000 farmers growing cotton over 73,000 ha. We have increased seed-cotton yield from 671 kg/ha to 765 kg/ha. This has been achieved through improved cotton seed varieties, promoting minimum tillage practice and farmer training on good agricultural practices, resulting in better plant population per hectare and improved yield. This year, operations in Togo completed its CMiA certification process and is currently working on BCI certification.

We have demonstrated in multiple countries that farming cotton more sustainably supports better yields, improves working conditions, and provides financial security. The farmers that we work with have quickly adapted to new sustainable climate resilient farming techniques like regenerative agriculture with a focus on soil health improvement and integrated pest and disease management.

Driving sustainable cotton production

While sustainable cotton production is already taking place in the supply chain, further growth will require brand/retailers and consumers alike to increase their demand for sustainable cotton. We recognise that this requires our supply chain partners to actively support sustainable sourcing policies – brand/retailers to increase their uptake of sustainable cotton and the industry to increase traceability and transparency of cotton supply chains.

Through Olam Agri’s subsidiary, SECO, we are transforming the lives of cotton farmers in Côte d'Ivoire by providing them with training and farming methods that help maximise yields and diversify their incomes.

As one of the leading integrated cotton operators in Africa, we are building visibility and control over the entire supply chain, from production at farm to processing at gin, to delivery of differentiated cotton to textile mills. Being able to trace cotton back to the farm where it was produced has the potential to unlock supplies of sustainable cotton to the world and more importantly, improve farmer livelihoods.

Our industry has a viable and scalable opportunity to transform the cotton value chain into one that is more transparent, traceable and sustainable, in a way that will benefit both farmers and consumers. The future is bright, and I look forward to walking this journey together.