Launched three years ago with €1 million in funding, the ‘Growing Benin's Organic Cotton Sector’ initiative has significantly improved livelihoods for nearly 9,000 small-scale farmers. Spearheaded by OBEPAB with support from BMZ, GIZ, PAN UK, Paul Reinhart AG, and the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), the project enabled farmers to transition to organic cotton cultivation under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard.

Farmers saw a 9 per cent average increase in profitability and a 65 per cent rise in organic cotton production. The initiative also empowered women, with leadership roles among cooperative committees increasing by 30 per cent. Knowledge-sharing on sustainable farming, including organic pest management and seed selection, was a cornerstone of the program.

“Supporting cotton farmers in transitioning to organic cultivation while improving market access has been central to our mission,” said Alexandra Perschau of AbTF. The project connected farmers to global markets, with demand for CmiA and CmiA Organic cotton surging. Bestseller, a major retailer, recently purchased record volumes of African CmiA Organic cotton.

As part of GIZ’s Agri Chains program, the project aligns with broader goals of fostering green, fair, and inclusive supply chains. “This collaboration strengthens the resilience of cotton-growing communities and connects them to global markets,” noted Benjamin Mohr of GIZ.

With momentum building, the project is entering a second phase to further scale organic cotton production in Benin, a nation gaining recognition for high-quality organic textiles. “Benin is poised to become a key destination for organic cotton procurement and processing,” affirmed Alessandra Fiedler of GIZ.

This success story underscores the potential of sustainable agriculture to transform lives while protecting the environment.