Thousands more to be helped by charities success through sustainable employment
Cotton Made in Africa (CmiA) is an initiative of the Aid by Trade Foundation that helps African smallholder cotton farmers in Africa to improve their living conditions with 67 spinning mills. This year the use of cotton is up a sizable 71 per cent over last year’s 408,415 tonnes. Roughly 30.5mn textiles went to market with the CmiA seal.
CmiA published its interactive annual report discussing progress and profits for 2015 on Tuesday stated that this year more people are using cotton that helps support African smallholder farmers than last year.
As of 2015, the company has trained more than 750,000 smallholders, a 57 per cent increase over last year’s 476,450. The training ensures both an increase in yield and income, establishing a solid foundation for the future of the individual smallholders’ and their careers.
Despite its sustainable label, CmiA said that because of the demand alliance it has built, textile companies can buy Cotton Made in Africa at going global market prices.
And despite challenging conditions in the European markets, characterized by high price sensitivity among companies and even lower awareness of sustainable textiles among consumers, CmiA held its ground well on the international stage.
This year, CmiA added ASOS and Danish Bestseller group, to the list of those using the cotton, and both are using the cotton and processing it in Africa.
