For the 2024-25 season, the government of Burkina Faso aims to boost cottonseed production by 55 per cent to 598,250 tons from the previous year's yield of 383,144 tons. The breakdown of this target includes 595,000 tons of conventional cottonseed and 3,250 tons of organic cotton.
Burkina Faso, alongside Mali and Benin, plays a pivotal role in West Africa's cotton production landscape. After experiencing a tepid 2023/2024 season, the Burkinabe authorities are optimistic about a resurgence in the cotton sector for the forthcoming season.
Several factors underpin these optimistic projections, one of which is the anticipated expansion in the area of land dedicated to cotton cultivation. Authorities estimate that the cultivated land will grow to 706,500 hectare, a notable rise from the 535,304 hectare recorded the previous year.
Serge Poda, Minister, Industrial Development, Trade, Handicrafts, and Small and Medium Enterprises, highlights a notable improvement in cottonseed yields per hectare during the 2023/2024 season. There is roughly a 25 per cent improvement in conventional cottonseed yields per hectare, reaching 827 kg per hectare, Poda states. This yield enhancement is expected to continue into the next season, further cotton production further.
To support this ambitious production goal, the Burkinabe government plans to allocate CFA11 billion (approximately $18.2 million) to subsidise the purchase of agricultural inputs. This financial support is designed to provide substantial assistance to farmers, ensuring they have the necessary resources to optimise their yields.
Cotton cultivation in Burkina Faso is predominantly concentrated in the Hauts-Bassins and Cascades regions, areas that have historically been the backbone of the country's cotton industry. The government's strategic investments and targeted support are expected to invigorate these regions, driving the overall growth of the cotton sector and enhancing the livelihoods of the farmers involved.
