UNIDO to train Egyptian cotton farmers on sustainability
The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has launched a multi-stakeholder pilot project in Egypt, to train cotton farmers on the Better Cotton Initiatives holistic approach to sustainable cotton production. The pilot is a part of a renewed drive in the country to increase sustainability and…
Egytex News Desk
Source: Egypt
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), in coordination with selected Implementing partners, will support UNIDO on the activation of the pilot in select areas in Egypt during the 2018-19 cotton season. BCI will provide guidance, share knowledge, develop materials and provide relevant agricultural and cotton experts.
Approximately 5,000 smallholder cotton farmers will be involved in the initial pilot project, receiving training on the Better Cotton principles and criteria. By adhering to these principles, existing (licensed) BCI farmers round the world produce cotton in a way that is measurably better for the environment and farming communities, BCI said in a press release.
BCI supports all initiatives that seek to make cotton production more sustainable. Egyptian cotton is long staple cotton grown by smallholder farmers. Making the Better Cotton Standard System accessible to smallholder farmers is BCIs priority – 99 per cent of the farmers BCI works with today are smallholders, said Alia Malik, Director of Implementation at BCI.
Once the pilot is complete, and in coordination with relevant Egyptian governmental entities and private sector stakeholders, UNIDO and BCI will explore the possibility of supporting the start-up of a direct BCI Programme in Egypt, the release added. (RR)
Source: Egypt
From the Egytex news archive, first published on 24 March 2019. Figures and names are as reported at the time.
