Conventional cotton farming harms the environment

Today cotton is cultivated on less than 3% of the world’s acreage. However, almost 25% of all the pesticides used in agriculture worldwide are used in cotton farming. The use of such enormous amounts of chemical substances in agriculture has various negative consequences, such as

• ground water pollution through leaching of pesticides
• soil pollution
• health hazard to farmers through contact with toxic agrochemicals

This paper shows the different institutional reforms undertaken in the malian and the gambian cotton sectors. It first deals with the introduction of cotton in these countries before shedding light on the different stages of its development until the questioning of State monopoly which led to the liberalization of their respective cotton sectors.

The Cotton, major source of cash income for rural and the national economic engine of cotton growers countries. Since the colonial period, cotton has played an important role in the economic and social development of many African countries. Cotton growing has also therefore made up a significant share of their export earnings. Moreover, in West and Central Africa (AOC) it involves a significant part of the population. In these countries, cotton cultivation has generated significant revenue for producers.

Helvetas

Why it pays off to buy organic cotton from fair trade

On the following pages we will introduce you to how cotton is cultivated and processed today. We will show you that by choosing the right product you can make a difference and help to reduce poverty and preserve natural resources.