World Cotton Day on October 7 is a reminder of the struggle of African cotton-producing countries (Mali, Benin, Chad, Burkina Faso, and Cote d'Ivoire) to keep the sector alive, Abdel Rahman Sy, President of the Young People's Association for the Promotion of Cotton in Mali (AJVC), told Sputnik Africa.
"These countries have fought for the continent to be able to take its place on the world market, because until now the world market has been created by the Americans, and unfortunately Africa hasn't managed to emerge. There are a number of subsidies that the government gives to American producers," Sy pointed out.
Cotton is an economic driver, as in Mali, where it is a source of livelihood for over 5 million people, or in Burkina Faso, where it is the main source of employment, the expert noted.
"It is a monetary guarantee for the state to negotiate a certain amount of international financing. Cotton also contributes to food security in our countries. In Mali, we have the cotton system: alternating the cultivation of cotton with cereals such as maize or sorghum," he added.