Organic Cotton from Benin: A Green, Fair, and Inclusive Initiative

Benin farms organic cotton. Farmers use organic methods to care for soil. They gain cleaner practices and steady income. German agents work closely with local groups. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH leads this work. It partners with Aid by Trade Foundation, Pesticide Action Network UK, and Paul Reinhart AG. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) backs the work.

Environmental and Economic Benefits

Beninese farmers earn income from cotton. They face tough prices and high pesticide costs. They get few market chances. Switching to organic lowers soil damage. This method cuts down on pesticide use. It also helps farmers join certified markets. Organic cotton certified under the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) standard grew 65% in three years. Farmers saw a 9% rise in turnover. Nearly 9,000 farmers earned better prices and stable sales.

Empowering Women Farmers

Cotton farming was once a male work. Women earned less and had little say in cooperatives. Now, targeted training helps women learn organic skills. They gain financial strength and leadership roles. A woman from Djamadji cooperative said, “Having an income of my own gives me more influence over household decisions, especially when it comes to my children’s education.” Her words show the strong social gains from organic farming.

Sustainable Supply for European Brands

European companies choose CmiA-certified organic cotton. They need high social and environmental standards. The Otto Group, Aldi Nord, Aldi Süd, and Tchibo now buy organic cotton. These buyers build secure markets. Beninese cotton farmers enjoy stable sales. Consumers get high-quality sustainable textiles.

For further details: Visit the Sub-Saharan Cotton Initiative (SASI) – Funded projects.

Contact Information:

• GIZ Bonn Office
  Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 32 + 36, 53113 Bonn, Germany
  Phone: +49 228 44 60-0

• GIZ Eschborn Office
  Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1–5, 65760 Eschborn, Germany
  Phone: +49 6196 79-0

Summary:
Organic cotton farming in Benin joins clean agriculture with fair trade. It now boosts income, saves the environment, and supports women’s growth. This work gets help from international partners and wins support from global brands. The model shows how clean methods and fair practices can change rural lives and textile chains.

Design Delight Studio curates high-impact, authoritative insights into sustainable and organic product trends, helping conscious consumers and innovative brands stay ahead in a fast-evolving green economy.