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Economic importance of cotton in Burkina Faso

Year of publication 2018

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 68

Author Jeffrey Vitale

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

ISBN 978-92-5-130105-0

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) This report investigated the role that cotton production has played in the economic development and poverty reduction in Burkina Faso, with a principal focus on how cotton prices, as a proxy to agricultural income, affects economic growth. Findings suggest that while cotton contributes to modest rates of economic growth, the lack of profitable investment opportunities in the industrial and service sectors limit agriculture’s growth potential. The artificially low prices paid to Burkinabe cotton producers suppress farm income and constrain the long–term buildup of investment capital needed to adopt more modern and productive technology and management practices. Moreover, the low pricing has aggravated household’s ability to make any meaningful movement out of poverty. One of the major points drawn from this report is that Burkina Faso’s cotton sector has emerged as a model sector that other countries in the region should consider emulating. Burkina Faso has been forward looking and open to innovation as evidenced by its proactive stance in adopting Genetically Modified (GM) cotton and its inclusion of the smallholder farming community as an equal partner in the ginning industry. While cotton sectors in developing countries will continue to face challenges from declining world markets and sustaining productivity, Burkina Faso provides a viable path for cotton’s continued presence in West African agriculture.

Language English

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