Organic Cotton Project, Burkina Faso
With a goal of helping West African farmers create a brighter future, we began our own organic cotton project in Burkina Faso in 2005, partnering with the independent development association, Helvetas.
In 2007, more than 2000 farmers cultivated over 400 tons of organic cotton on nearly 5000 acres. Supported by a team of agricultural advisers, supplied and financed by the project partners, the farmers learn sustainable farming methods and how to protect the environment.
Each farmer grows organic cotton on up to 50% of his fields. On the remainder he grows fruit, vegetables, peanuts or whatever crop he desires, so in case of a disappointing cotton harvest the family has another source of income. The organic cotton is picked by hand, which guarantees more jobs to the community as well as assuring the highest quality cotton.
hessnatur and Helvetas pre-finance the seed and pay for the necessary organic certification. The farmers receive a purchase guarantee for their entire harvest from us plus an organic and fair trade premium of 40% above the price for conventional cotton. These initiatives are securing a living income for the farmers of Burkina Faso. They are also eliminating pesticide-related illnesses.
Another part of the project has nothing to do with growing cotton. It has to do with education. The families of Burkina Faso are also being taught how to read and write.
For this work, hessnatur was given the Public Eye Positive Award at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January 2008.
Learn more about the project: