Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) Organic verified cotton is produced by small-scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa in accordance with the CmiA Organic standard criteria. It encompasses environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainable cotton farming and ginning. Specifically, this means that the cotton is grown under rain-fed conditions, GMO-free, cultivated using organic pesticides and natural fertilisers only, and harvested by hand. The Cotton made in Africa Organic Standard has specified the farming and ginning methods that are permitted in a list of criteria, with compliance regularly checked by independent auditors as part of a verification process.

Cotton made in Africa Organic

CmiA Organic verified cotton is part of the Aid by Trade Foundationā€™s standard family. It is produced by small-scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa in accordance with the CmiA Organic standard criteria. The CmiA Organic standard is based on existing requirements laid down in internationally recognised guidelines for organic agriculture and complements them with additional criteria for the social and economic well-being of small-scale farmers and workers in the cotton ginneries. Specifically, this means that the cotton is grown under rain-fed conditions, GMO-free, cultivated using organic pesticides and natural fertilisers only, and harvested by hand. Cotton made in Africa Organic has specified the farming and ginning methods that are permitted in a list of criteria, with compliance regularly checked by independent auditors as part of a verification process.

In many parts of the world, cotton is grown in large plantations, but in Africa it is almost exclusively cultivated by small-scale farmers using crop rotation. Crop rotation means that the cotton is grown alternately with other crops, such as basic food crops like maize, soy or groundnuts. That reduces both leaching from the soil and the occurrence of pests. Cotton is often a complementary cash crop: it is cultivated for sale, alongside foods grown for subsistence. The cultivation methods imparted by Cotton made in Africa also support small-scale farmers in growing food and thus make an important contribution to food security.

No pesticide use & genetically modified cotton

Cotton made in Africa Organic stands for eco-friendly and socially responsible cotton which is GMO- and chemical-free. To protect the crop from pests and help the plants grow, farmers only use organic pesticides and natural fertilisers which are both cost-efficient, effective, and easy to produce. The necessary ingredients are all natural and can be found all around the villages and cotton fields, free of charge. They can be processed by local small-scale farmers themselves using simple machines and household utensils. High expenditure on chemicals and synthetic fertilisers can thereby be reduced to zero. This benefits both people, climate and nature.

Protecting children & improving livelihoods

The people in the cotton growing areas in Africa are at the heart of the initiativeā€™s work. CmiA supports small-scale farmers, promotes gender equality, core labour conditions, and the respect for the rights of children.

Cotton made in Africa strictly prohibits all child labour outside of a family context, as well as any form of exploitative child labour or child labour that harms a childā€™s health or development. In this regard, CmiA adheres to conventions 138 and 182 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Child trafficking and forced labour are naturally also prohibited. However, ILO conventions permit children to help out on their parentsā€™ farms as long as they are left with enough time to go to school and to play. Since prohibition is never enough on its own, Cotton made in Africa is also actively combatting child labour through local education work, school projects for children from farming families, and measures designed to increase family incomes.

Gender equality

The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) shares the United Nationsā€™ view on the importance of gender equality as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is therefore essential for AbTF to tackle the problem of discrimination against women and to promote gender awareness and gender equality. As farmers and workers, women greatly contribute to the cotton sector. They also take care of their families, maintain the wellbeing of their communities, and perform numerous unpaid household activities. However, women face a variety of interrelated challenges specific to their gender, including poor access to resources. Saying this, gender equality is a cornerstone of the initiativeā€™s work.

Cotton made in Africa addresses various forms and root causes of gender inequality. In its standard, CmiA promotes gender equality through specific gender-related criteria and indicators. This means e.g. that equal pay for equal work has to be ensured and that working mothers have to be protected. This includes offering maternity leave, the right to return to work after maternity leave, and additional breaks for breastfeeding mothers. In cooperation with relevant stakeholders, CmiA takes action to empower women, to promote equal access to resources and opportunities, and to make womenā€™s voices heard. This means for example that CmiA encourages female cotton farmers to participate in agricultural trainings by, for example, recruiting female trainers who offer the women guidance and information. In addition, several women are being trained to take up positions as lead farmers in order to improve the standing of women within the community and become role models for others.