Mali and Benin Lead West African Countries in Cotton Production

Sudanhorizon – Agencies

The Republic of Benin qualified to occupy the second place in cotton production in West Africa, as it produced (600,063) tons of cotton within the regional campaign for the current session.

According to a bulletin issued by the Regional Program for Integrated Cotton Production in Africa (PR-PICA), this production increased by (1.99%) compared to the previous season.

The “Acotonou” News Agency reported that the best performance of the cotton campaign (2023-2024) was achieved by the State of Mali with a production of (690) thousand tons compared to (389,750) during the previous season. Thus, Mali snatches the first place from Benin, which was previously the main producer of cotton in West Africa, while Cameroon and Burkina Faso occupy the third and fourth places with a production of (394,090) tons and (387,279) tons, respectively.

It is noteworthy that the cotton campaign for the season (2023/2024) was relatively better compared to the previous season, and experts believe that this achievement was achieved thanks to combating the spread of new types of pests (Jasid – Amrasca bigutula) and through new insecticide products recently recommended by scientific research centers. This reliance on scientific research has made increases in cotton seed production reach between (11% – 53%) depending on the country. This encourages the authorities to fund scientific research centers instead of spending it on pest control.

The Sudanhorizon news website indicates that a delegation from the West African Cotton Farmers Union previously visited Sudan in 2017 and met with the Gezira Project Farmers Union to learn about the Sudanese experience in growing cotton in the project, and they expressed their admiration for the project’s legacy and its potential in terms of area and sustainable irrigation system.