Mozambique becomes first country to target 100% Better Cotton
13/12/2017
BCI says its partnership with the Cotton Institute of Mozambique (IAM) presents an opportunity for Mozambique’s producers to secure access to new markets: adidas, C&A, H&M, Ikea and Nike have all committed to only using cotton from more sustainable sources by 2020.
Farmers are given training and technical assistance to meet the Better Cotton standard, which is delivered by implementing partners linked to BCI through a formal partnership agreement.
In addition to its collaboration with the government, BCI also engaged OLAM, the world’s second largest cotton merchant, to become the first BCI implementing partner in Mozambique. OLAM and BCI worked with 6,300 farmers to produce the country’s first Better Cotton harvest in 2013. Since then, concession holders including SAN-JFS and SANAM have joined as implementing partners, with BCI and the Mozambique government coordinating efforts.
In 2014, the number of farmers growing Better Cotton in Mozambique jumped to 75,000, producing 9,500 tonnes of cotton lint on 52,000 hectares. In 2015, the number of BCI licensed farmers increased to 78,912.
BCI said: “The partnership between BCI and the Mozambique government shows how policymakers can use credible, mission-driven standard systems to meet development goals, while revitalising nationally important industries.”
Share this story:
