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xxxxxxxx Trade features<br />
Cotton Made in <strong>Africa</strong>:<br />
Opportunity for <strong>Africa</strong><br />
Ten years ago, Dr. Michael Otto<br />
laid the foundation for a socially<br />
and ecologically sustainable<br />
production of cotton in <strong>Africa</strong>. His<br />
aim was to help <strong>Africa</strong>n smallholder<br />
farmers to help themselves through<br />
the Aid by Trade Foundation and its<br />
‘Cotton made in <strong>Africa</strong>’ initiative.<br />
What began with 150,000 cotton<br />
producers in three countries is now<br />
one of the largest projects in German<br />
development cooperation with <strong>Africa</strong>.<br />
In 2015 - its anniversary year, the initiative<br />
was active in 10 Sub-Saharan<br />
<strong>Africa</strong>n countries, cooperated with<br />
650,000 smallholders and reached a<br />
total of over 5.5 million people. The<br />
smallholders have increased their<br />
yields by approximately 20% during<br />
their partnership with CmiA.<br />
From 2008 to the end of 2014,<br />
more than 660,000 metric tons of<br />
ginned CmiA cotton was used for<br />
textiles worldwide and more than<br />
100 million garments with the CmiA<br />
sustainability seal were put on sale<br />
by partner companies. These textiles<br />
represent responsible fashion and set<br />
an example for socially and ecologically<br />
sustainable economy. From<br />
2008 to the end of 2014, licensed<br />
CmiA products brought in an income<br />
of almost €5 million for AbTF, which<br />
was able to invest it for the benefit<br />
of <strong>Africa</strong>n farming families. Overall,<br />
Cotton made in <strong>Africa</strong> is emphasiz-<br />
24 JANUARY - MARCH 2016
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