WT/CFMC/W/71  
29 June 2016  
(16-3521)  Page: 1/14  
 Original: French  
 
  DIRECTOR GENERAL'S CONSULTATIVE FRAMEWORK 
MECHANISM ON COTTON 
COTTON SECTOR REFORM 
Communication from Côte d'Ivoire 
The following communication, dated 24 June 2016,  is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Côte d'Ivoire. 
 
_______________ 
  
1  CONTEXT AND JUSTIFICATION 
1.1.  Cotton is a strategic sector for the economy of the savannah regions in Côte d'Ivoire. This 
crop is grown by over 120 000 producers and directly or indirectly sustains the livelihoods of 
around 3.5 million people. 
1.2.  To a large extent, the expansion of cotton pr oduction in Côte d'Ivoire can be attributed to 
agronomic research, in addition to a political determination to encourage and support the sector. 
1.3.  However, on account of the combined effects of the 2002 crisis and other socio-economic 
factors, both domestic and external, the sector has encountered a whole series of problems that are undermining its development. These reflect the current concerns of the parties involved, and relate, inter alia , to the following issues: 
a. weakness of the institutional and regulatory framework put in place following 
liberalization and the socio-political crisis; 
b. the global financial crisis; 
c. drastic fall in cotton fibre prices; 
d. adverse trend in the Euro/dollar exchange rate; 
e. disorganization of the cooperative movement; 
f. weakened support and agronomic research structure; 
g. declining crop yield; 
h. influx of counterfeit or smuggled textile goods. 
1.4.  Drawing on the main orientations laid down by the President of the Republic in his 
Programme Speech for 2010 as well as those set by the Government, and so as to take into 
account the various concerns expressed by all part ners and stakeholders, the reform of the cotton 
sector is built around six core strategies, namely: 
 Core Strategy 1: Pooling seed production, multiplication and distribution; WT/CFMC/W/71 
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   Core Strategy 2: Reorganizing the input supply chain; 
 Core Strategy 3: Assigning exclusive support zones to cotton companies in the cotton 
sector; 
 Core Strategy 4: Updating cotton sector costs and establishing a price-setting mechanism 
that guarantees the producer at least 60% of the CAF price of the output; 
 Core Strategy 5: Revival of agronomic research in the cotton sector; 
 Core Strategy 6: Making th e sector more professional. 
1.1  Core Strategy 1: Pooling seed pr oduction, multiplication and distribution 
1.1.1  Status 1.5.  Production of sufficient quantities of cotto n seeds of the right quality has always been one of 
the prime objectives acknowledged and pursued by everyone involved in the sector. In summary, 
seed production currently takes place in two main stages: 
1.6.  Stage 1 : The production of pre-base and base seeds is pooled and assigned to the National 
Agricultural Research Centre (CNRA), run on the basis of fees set by cotton trade association 
agreements or contributions from development partners. The final outcome of this pooling system 
is G3 seed.
1 
1.7.  Stage 2 : The production of seed for all cotton producers is liberalized as from G3. Each of 
the cotton companies is responsible for selecting suitable zones and seed producers for the 
production of R1, R2 and R3 seeds from G3. 
1.1.2  Diagnosis 1.8.  The diagnosis carried out has highlighted inherent problems in the CNRA's and cotton 
companies' operations. The difficulties can be summarized as follows: 
a. although some cotton zones are not suited to seed production, all the companies are 
required to commit to multiplication of the G3 received; 
b. some cotton companies, while being recipients of G3 seed, do not have the capacity for 
multiplication of the seeds; 
c. lack of follow-up by CNRA unless re quested by the company concerned; 
d. lack of visibility for INTERCOTON, the Joint Tr ades Agricultural Research and Advice Fund 
(FIRCA) and CNRA regarding the use of G3 seed provided to the cotton companies 
1.1.3  Strategic approach for the pooling process and objectives 1.1.3.1  Strategic approach for the pooling process 
1.9.  The advocated reform entails assigning cotto n seed production and distribution to two or 
more cotton companies located in well-suited areas. Its implementation would require the following: 
a. maintaining CNRA's mission in regard to the production of G0 to G3 seed; 
b. selecting two (02) or three (03) cotton companies on the basis of operational criteria and 
of their practical experience in seed production and multiplication; 
c. establishing seed fields in the zones suited to the production of R1 to R3 seed; 
                                               
1 Third-generation seed. It is as fro m this generation that the seed leav es the station. From G0 to G2, it 
remains in the station. WT/CFMC/W/71 
- 3 - 
  d. delivery of R1 to R3 seed to the cotton trade association under adjudication of the 
regulatory body on behalf of the sector; 
e. implementation of agro-industrial zoning in the cotton basin in order to control seed 
zones and sites; 
f. elaborating a set of specifications to govern production and multiplication by the cotton 
companies selected as suppliers; 
g. adjudication of seed distribution by the co tton trade association and the regulatory body, 
according to each company's needs. 
1.1.3.2  Objective 1.10.  The main objective of the reform is the prod uction of sufficient quantities of cotton seeds of 
the right quality. 
1.2  Core Strategy 2: Reorganizing the input supply chain 
1.2.1  Status 1.11.  The supply of inputs to cotton producers has evolved with the changes in the cotton sector. 
1.12.  Before the sector was privatized, cotton producers were supplied by the public cotton 
company: the Ivorian Textile Development Company (CIDT). This approach continued until liberalization of the sector in 2002, which saw the emergence of new operators. 
1.13.  In order to help reduce the cost of acqu iring inputs and hence the transfer price at which 
they are passed on to producers, the Professional Association of Cotton Companies of Côte d'Ivoire 
(APROCOT-CI) instituted a tendering process. Under this mechanism, APROCOT-CI consolidates its members' needs in terms of inputs and issues a call for bids to input suppliers. The call for bids 
generates reference prices for each type of input, which each cotton company then uses as a basis 
for conducting negotiations. The transfer price for producers is determined from the weighted average price that emerges from these negotiatio ns and on the basis of the cotton companies' 
purchase invoices. 
1.2.2  Diagnosis 1.14.  The current situation displays a number of weaknesses, namely: 
a. under the current approach, it is not the lowest price which is used as a basis for setting 
the transfer price for producers; 
b. the call for bids does not enable all cotton companies to acquire inputs at the same 
prices; 
c. the system does not include any safeguard mechanism in respect of input suppliers to 
ensure that all cotton companies receive inputs; 
d. some input suppliers undercut the price announced through the call for bids, with the 
result that some suppliers no longer see any point in even participating in the tendering 
process. 
1.2.3  Orientation of the reform and objectives 
1.2.3.1  Orientation of the reform 
1.15.  In its strategy for reform of the cotton sector, the Ivorian Government has decided to make 
producers' access to inputs more transparent by involving all the stakeholders in the current WT/CFMC/W/71 
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  system. This means, in practice, making improvements to the mechanism put in place by 
APROCOT-CI. 
1.16.  The new system proposed is overseen by a Cotton Inputs Committee constituted as follows: 
a. Chair: Regulatory Body 
b. Secretariat: INTERCOTON 
c. Members: APROCOT-CI; AFFICOT-CI, which has now become FPC-CI (Federation of 
Cotton Producers of Côte d'Ivoire); companies having registered their intention to buy; 
banks and financial institutions. 
1.17.  The mission of the Inputs Committee is to: 
a. draw up the specifications for the call for bids; 
b. validate the input purchase prices after negotiations with the lowest bidders; 
c. monitor deliveries by suppliers and their collection by the cotton companies; 
d. assemble the documents associated with transactions relating to inputs (collection 
receipts issued by input suppliers); 
e. compile payment references; 
f. monitor cotton companies' cotton fibre and seed exports; 
g. produce periodic reports (progress reports and final report). 
1.2.3.2  Objective of the reform 
1.18.  The objective of the reform is to ensure that  the sector is supplied with sufficient quantities 
of inputs of the right quality, in good time and at the lowest prices. 
1.3  Core Strategy 3: Support to the cotton sector 
1.4  Status 
1.19.  Since 2000, support has taken place in a context of liberalization, each company being 
allowed to support producers anywhere throughout the whole cotton-producing area. 
1.20.  Under Ordinance 2002-448 of 16 September 2002, support covers nine (09) areas of 
activity: 
a. agricultural advice; 
b. setting production targets and harvest forecasts; 
c. supply of inputs and agricultural equipment to farmers; 
d. research on cotton; 
e. monitoring of quality standards; 
f. marketing of cotton sector products; 
g. sustainable soil management; 
h. maintenance of dirt roads used for cotton; 
i. assistance to Professional Agricultural Organizations (OPAs). WT/CFMC/W/71 
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  1.5  Diagnosis 
1.21.  Analysis of the support situation has revealed failings, such as, inter alia : 
a. support is organized differently from one company to another, thus causing disparity in 
the assistance provided to producers; 
b. uncontrolled competition characterized by the presence of several advisers from different 
operators in a single zone and interventions in locations outside their optimum area of activity; 
c. lack of coordination of ginners' insecticid e treatment programmes even though they are 
using the same cultivation areas; 
d. threat of variable seed purity whic h adversely affects field productivity; 
e. unreliability of assistance to producers that focuses on very short-term actions; 
f. loss of rigour in the support system with failure to respect technical standards; 
g. fall in the number of cotton producers since they have no assurance from any ginner in 
terms of supply of factors of production (seed, inputs) and follow-up. 
1.5.1  Orientation of the reform and objectives 
1.5.1.1  Orientation of the reform 1.22.  In view of the persistent failings associat ed with the discontinuation of support zones since 
2000, the diagnosis prompted the State to adopt a strong position in order to ensure sustainable 
recovery of the sector. 
1.23.  It entails putting in place a new method of organizing support and marketing of seed cotton, 
based on the assignment of exclusive zones of activity to each cotton company for a limited 
period. 
1.24.  In practice, this arrangement will be im plemented through the signing of a "framework 
agreement" to be drawn up in collaboration with  the trade association and encompassing all the 
services to be provided to producers. It shall specify: 
a. the exclusive zones; 
b. the roles and obligations of each of the st akeholders involved (producers, OPA, cotton 
companies and other players); 
c. monitoring and compliance clauses; 
d. applicable sanctions. 
1.5.1.2  Objectives of the reform 
1.25.  The objectives of the reform are to: 
a. establish an efficient system of support to producers; 
b. have a single counterpart for producers in the same geographical area; 
c. make the cotton company responsible for the quality of support and for improving the 
livelihoods of producers in the area assigned to it; 
d. keep support costs in check; WT/CFMC/W/71 
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  e. ensure a secure supply of seed cotton for ginning units; 
f. make it easier for ginners  to mobilize funding; 
g. achieve consolidation, better structuring and greater professionalism of OPAs in each 
zone. 
1.6  Core Strategy 4: Updating cotton se ctor costs and establishing a price-setting 
mechanism that guarantees the producer at least 60% of the CAF price 
1.6.1  Status 
1.26.  From 1999 to 2008, the purchase price of seed cotton was determined by a calculation 
formula emanating from a study conducted by the National Bureau for Technical Studies and Development (BNETD) and the Horus consultancy firm. 
1.27.  This mechanism came under criticism, in particular from the producers, in regard to the 
inaccuracy of the regulated prices, which were in large measure derived from those practised by 
CIDT and considered to be way off the optimum level. 
1.28.  In the light of this situation, as part of  the cotton sector recovery strategy (2008), a study 
with a view to instituting a new price-setting mechanism for seed cotton was carried out by the 
consultancy firm COWI. This mechanism was applied for several seasons, before showing its limitations. 
1.6.2  Orientation of the reform and objectives 
1.6.2.1  Orientation of the reform 1.29.  The reform strategy is to ensure that: 
a. the price-setting mechanism is revised so as to take into account a starting price based 
on production forecasts and the anticipated sale  price of fibre. At the end of the season, 
a final price will be set on the basis of actuals (cotton output, sale price, and price of fibre); 
b. producers are guaranteed at least 60% of the CAF price; 
c. the mechanism is underpinned by a support and buffer fund constituted from sector 
profits, donations, State subsidies and funding from financial partners. 
1.30.  To this end, two improvement options are proposed: 
1.31.  Option 1 : Revise the current - COWI – mechanism. This option would involve revising the 
basic parameters of the model in order to adap t them to the requirements of the reform and 
improve its functioning. Specifically, the base data for the different calculation parameters will 
have to be updated to guarantee the producer at least 60% of the CAF price in contrast to the 
current floor level of 50%. This option would call for the establishment of a price buffering or support mechanism, without which application of the calculation formula would remain uncertain. 
1.32.  Option 2 : Introduce a new mechanism based on assigning 60% of the price to the producer 
and distributing the remaining 40% among all the stakeholders involved. 
1.33.  The choice of one or other option will be  decided by the fundamental study into updating 
costs in the Ivorian cotton sector and developing a new price-setting mechanism for seed cotton 
underpinned by a fund. WT/CFMC/W/71 
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  1.6.2.2  Objectives of the reform 
1.34.  Here, the objective is to put in place a me chanism which will have the following advantages: 
a. market-based; 
b. takes into account actual costs and performance in the sector; 
c. guarantees producers a minimum of 60% of th e CAF price and enables them to reap the 
benefit of price rises in the market. 
1.7  Core Strategy 5: Revival of  research in the cotton sector 
1.7.1  Status 
1.35.  Cotton production has fallen sharply, from 400,000 tonnes of seed cotton in 2001-2002 to 
123,000 tonnes in 2007-2008. Despite an upturn in production from 2009-2010 to 2014-2015, yields still remain below the levels of 1,400 kg/ha recorded before the crisis. 
1.36.  This state of affairs stems, inter alia , from the destruction of the CNRA research centre in 
Bouaké, which has thus prevented the renewal of high-yield varieties with technological characteristics geared to market needs and the adap tation of technical practices, in particular to 
climate change, in order to make the sector sustainable. 
1.37.  To overcome this failing, efforts are certainly under way, within the sector's operators and 
companies with the help of the State and financial partners, but it is nevertheless important to put 
in place a new system for carrying out research activities in the sector. 
1.7.2  Orientation of the reform and objectives 1.7.2.1  Orientation of the reform 1.38.  The reform entails, inter alia : 
a. rehabilitation of the research station and observation posts; 
b. implementation of a sustainable management mechanism for the system; 
c. reconstituting cotton plant genetic resources; 
d. selecting high-performing gossypol varieties that are resistant to virescence and 
fusariosis; 
e. studying the adaptation of new varieties of cotton plant to the different agro-ecological 
conditions in Côte d'Ivoire and new fertilizer formulas for minimum cotton plant 
nutrition; 
f. fertility diagnosis and correction for soils bearing cotton plant; 
g. development of agronomic techniques for improving soil fertility; 
h. monitoring parasite infections, insecticide resistance and pests; 
i. development of suitable programmes for protecting against and combating diseases and 
pests; 
j. technical support to promote widespread use of soil treatments; 
k. staff training. WT/CFMC/W/71 
- 8 - 
  1.7.2.2  Objectives of the reform 
1.39.  The overall objective is to improve cotto n plant productivity and cotton quality, while 
respecting the environment and at lowest cost, so as to raise incomes in the sector, in particular for producers. This means, specifically: 
a. making the research system sustainable going forward; 
b. developing new high-yield varieties of cotton suited to the different agro-ecological 
conditions in Côte d'Ivoire; 
c. developing cotton plant fertilization strategies that respond to the latest agro-ecological 
constraints; 
d. develop new efficient pest and disease management methods and strategies; 
e. capacity-building for producers and advisory service staff. 
1.8  Core Strategy 6: Making the sector more professional 
1.8.1  Diagnosis 1.40.  Like the other agricultural sectors, the cotton sector displays failings at the level of its 
Professional Agricultural Organization (OPA) in terms of the latter's structure and representativity. 
Indeed, the sector is afflicted to varying degrees, by: 
a. erosion of the cooperative movement with, notably, the emergence of informal 
producers' organizations; 
b. weak organizational capacity (problems of credibility and representativity, low level of 
mobilization of its members, lack of financial resources, etc.); 
c. lack of strong and credible trade associations, most often on account of leadership 
conflicts; 
d. difficulties to guarantee secure income for producers and to finance actions to develop 
the sector. 
1.8.2  Reforms and objectives 
1.41.  To overcome the failings, the reform proposes to bring the existing cotton trade association 
into conformity with Ordinance 2011-473 of  21 December 2011 on Agricultural Industry 
Associations. 
1.42.  The objectives of the reform will be to: 
a. organize and strengthen the capacities of producers in the sector; 
b. ensure that the whole range of stakeholders are represented in the trade association and 
exercise good governance. 
 
 
   
  WT/CFMC/W/71  
- 9 - 2  TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE IVORIAN COTTON SECTOR FROM 2006 TO 2016 
Type of assistance Institutional 
framework Donor Aim/outcomes Main activities Beneficiary Amount 
(in Euros) Period 
Institutional support for 
cotton STABEX 99/2 EU Long-term expertise  Ministry of 
Agriculture 195,000 2006 
Reimbursement of 
subsidies and payment of 
arrears owed to producers STABEX 99/2 EU Put the sector's finances in 
order and reduce arrears 
in cotton companies' 
payments to producers Settling arrears owed to 
producers State 
 
Cotton companies 14,340,000 2007-2008 
Financing of cotton inputs Côte d'Ivoire – 
IDB partnership agreement IDB Mobilize funding to give all 
producers access to agricultural inputs Provision of funding 
Ordering and distribution of inputs Reimbursement through a mechanism controlled by the regulatory body CIDT and other 
cotton companies 17,690,000 2007 to 2009 
Support for restoration of 
the cotton seed production 
system in Côte d'Ivoire STABEX 99/2 
 
Cotton sector 
strategy (2008) EU Upgrade the genetic 
potential of the cotton 
varieties used through 
targeted support for seed 
production Production of G3 base seeds 
by CNRA 
 
Distribution of G3 seeds to 
cotton companies INTERCOTON 477,880 2007 to 2009 
Rehabilitation of dirt roads 
used for cotton STABEX 99/2 
 
Cotton sector strategy (2008) EU Improve the level of 
service of rural road 
infrastructures in the cotton zones Resurfacing / levelling work State 4,580,000 2007 to 2009 
Implementation of a 
price-setting mechanism 
for seed cotton 
 Cotton sector 
strategy (2008) EU Update the method of 
setting the price of seed 
cotton for the producer Feasibility study 
Agreement within the cotton 
trade association 
Application of the 
mechanism from 2009 to 
2013 Ministry of 
agriculture 152,000 2008 
Programme of support for 
restructuring and professionalization of the cotton OPAs STABEX 99/2 
 Cotton sector strategy (2008) EU Efficiently manage the 
technical and economic functions to be discharged by OPAs in the cotton sector so they participate effectively in management of the cotton trade Diagnosis of the cooperative 
movement for cotton Audit of reciprocal debts and receivables Capacity-building of OPAs National 
Association of OPAs (ANOPACI) 1,520,000 2009-2010 
Settlement of arrears of 
the former La Cotonnière 
de Côte d'Ivoire (LCCI) 
company vis-à-vis 
producers STABEX 99/2 
 
Cotton sector 
strategy (2008) EU Put the cotton sector's 
finances in order Audit of amounts owed to 
producers 
Payment of arrears to 
entitled recipients Producers 
affiliated to the 
former LCCI 9,810,000 2009-2010   
  WT/CFMC/W/71  
- 10 - Type of assistance Institutional 
framework Donor Aim/outcomes Main activities Beneficiary Amount 
(in Euros) Period 
Promotion of 
animal-traction agriculture STABEX 99/2 
 
Cotton sector 
strategy (2008) EU Speed up the recovery of 
the cotton sector through 
the development of 
animal-traction agriculture Equipping producers with 
draught animals and traction 
equipment (200 oxen) INTERCOTON 4,240,000 2009-2010 
Overhaul of the cotton fibre 
classification scheme STABEX 99/2 
 
Cotton sector 
strategy (2008) EU Overhaul the cotton trade 
management system, 
capacity-building, and 
legal recognition of the 
trade association's 
management Training in management of 
the cotton trade and the 
development of cotton trade 
agreements 
Internal reorganization of 
the cotton trade association INTERCOTON 305,000 2009-2010 
Support for management of 
the STABEX funds for cotton STABEX 99/2 EU Facili tate management of 
the funds National capacity-building 
for the implementation of cotton programmes Ministry of 
Agriculture 392,000 2009-2010 
Support for restructuring of 
CIDT FLEX 2006-2007 EU Put the sector's finances in 
order Settlement payments to 
downsized staff and 
settlement of bonuses for 
workers in the basic 
worker/operati ve/technician 
category State 2,000,000 2009 to 2011 
Restructuring of the cotton 
fibre classification system Cotton sector 
strategy (2008) and Cotton sector reform (2013) EU Strengthen the 
performance and credibility of the cotton classification  Promote the Côte d'Ivoire brand Refurbishing and equipping 
the single brand classification laboratory Legal and financial feasibility study for a single brand classification 
Single brand classification of 
fibre since the 2015-2016 season Cotton and 
Cashew Council (CCA) / INTERCOTON 1,000,000 2009 to 2013 
Project for monitoring the 
fight against 
trypanosomiasis FLEX 2008 
 EU  Installing fly traps 
Health monitoring of oxen INTERCOTON 117,000 2010-2011 
Cotton textile study FLEX 2006-2007 EU Formulate a revival 
strategy for the textile cotton sector Study 
Development of the textile sector revival strategy  Ministry of 
Industry 135,000 2001-2012 
Restructuring of cotton 
sector OPAs - phase 2 FLEX 2006-2007 EU Efficiently manage the 
technical and economic 
functions to be discharged 
by OPAs in the cotton 
sector so they participate 
effectively in management 
of the cotton trade Capacity-building of OPAs 
 
Legal support for bringing 
OPAs into conformity 
 AFFICOT-CI 600,000 2011 to 2013   
  WT/CFMC/W/71  
- 11 - Type of assistance Institutional 
framework Donor Aim/outcomes Main activities Beneficiary Amount 
(in Euros) Period 
Strengthening the cotton 
trade association's handling 
of shared functions in the 
cotton sector (INTERCOTON) FLEX 2008 
 
Cotton sector 
strategy (2008) EU Strengthen the cotton 
trade association's 
handling of services 
provided to the sector Extension of the traceability 
system 
Cotton study trips within the 
cotton trade Production and dissemination of statistical directories Rehabilitation of the training centre Communication through local radios INTERCOTON 548,000 2012 to 2014 
Outsourcing of cotton 
agriculture advice (EC-AFC) FLEX 2008 EU Establish a sustainable 
technical and financial 
framework for outsourced 
agricultural advice Contracting for agricultural 
advice 
Monitoring and evaluation of 
services provided 
Annual feedback workshops INTERCOTON / 
FIRCA 3,200,000 2013 to 2015 
Cotton research revival 
programme (PRRC) FLEX 2008 EU and 
State of Côte d'Ivoire Rehabilitate cotton 
research programmes 11 research projects 
2 studies (on the feasibility of GM crops and on the surveillance mission of cotton operations) INTERCOTON / 
FIRCA 2,720,000 2013 to 2015 
Settlement of the cotton 
fertilizer subsidy for the 
season 2012-2013  Debt Reduction 
and Development 
Contract (C2D) AFD Budgetary support to the 
State for the 
reimbursement of 
subsidies owed to cotton 
companies Audit of quantities of 
fertilizer distributed to 
producers 
 
Reimbursement of cotton 
companies that financed the 
fertilizer subsidy upfront State 9,140,000 2013 
Côte d'Ivoire Agricultural 
Sector Support Project (PSAC) Support for the 
National Agricultural Investment Programme (PNIA)  Debt Reduction and Development Contract (C2D) World 
Bank  AFD  EU Strengthen and sustain the 
gains already achieved under the reform programmes undertaken since 2008  Restoration of dirt roads 
serving cotton areas Support for outreach services Provision of draught animals and traction equipment (4,000 oxen) Restructuring of the cotton OPAs Institutional support to INTERCOTON INTERCOTON 61,380,000 Since 2012 
(ongoing)   
  WT/CFMC/W/71  
- 12 - Type of assistance Institutional 
framework Donor Aim/outcomes Main activities Beneficiary Amount 
(in Euros) Period 
Support for animal-traction 
agriculture FLEX 2008 EU Improve the sector's 
competitivity through 
increased production by 
expanding farmed areas 
and contributing to 
increased agronomic yields Equipping producers with 
draught animals and traction 
equipment (200 oxen) 
Study on motorization of 
cotton growing and 
traditional blacksmith crafts INTERCOTON 2,000,000 2013 to 2016 
Development of a new 
price-setting mechanism for seed cotton  Cotton sector 
reform (2013) EU/ACP Evaluate the sector's costs 
and identify a price-setting method for seed cotton guaranteeing at least 60% of the CAF price for the producer Feasibility study Cotton and 
Cashew Council (CCA) 100,000 Since 2014 
(ongoing) WT/CFMC/W/71 
- 13 - 
  3  PROJECT SHEETS – SUPPORT FOR REFORM OF THE COTTON SECTOR 
Project Sheet 1: Establishment of a co tton inputs fund in Côte d'Ivoire  
Project title ESTABLISHMENT OF A COTTO N INPUTS FUND IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE 
Context and 
justification 
 - Need to secure the supply of inputs for producers; 
- Need to reduce the costs of acquiring inputs in order to improve the 
sector's performance; 
- Need to control the quality of inputs supplied to all producers; 
- Need to reduce the sector's dependence on recurrent State subsidies; 
- Enhance transparency in the designation of suppliers and in setting the 
transfer prices paid by producers for inputs. 
Objectives - Improve the sector's competitivity by reducing the burden of inputs on 
producers' remuneration; 
- Create the conditions for mobilizing external resources to finance cotton 
inputs; 
- Facilitate the involvement of all stakeholders in the process of acquiring 
and distributing inputs, in particular producers; 
- Strengthen the negotiating position of the "Inputs Committee" set up 
under the reform; 
-Establish the fund. 
Content of the 
activity and tasks - Exploiting existing reference lists; 
- Consultations between the stakeholders and companies in the cotton 
sector moderated by a consultant mediator; 
- Proposing financing sources and models to build up the fund; 
- Developing the procedures governing the fund's operation; 
-Determining the optimum level of the fund. 
Lead entity Cotton and Cash ew Council / INTERCOTON 
Execution Consultant mediator / Inputs Committee 
Amount 25 million FCFA 
(Sector/Donor/State, C2D) 
Time-frame 2 months 
Roles of the Cotton and Cashew 
Council - Supervise the recruitment procedure for the consultant mediator; 
- Create the conditions for sustainable operation of the Inputs Committee. 
Implementation 
follow-up  Progress to be monitored: Securing funding; Recruitment of the consultant 
mediator; Report on compilation of a consolidated reference list for the fund; 
Workshops for implementation of the fund. 
Prerequisites Funding obtained; Study of input distribution costs completed; Cotton zoning 
operational. WT/CFMC/W/71 
- 14 - 
  Project Sheet 2: Capacity-building fo r stakeholders in the cotton sector 
Project title CAPACITY-BUILDING FOR STAK EHOLDERS IN THE COTTON 
SECTOR 
Context and justification - Competition for land from food crops and cashew nuts and need to restore 
cultivated and fallow land; 
- Need to capitalize on the successes in regard to functional literacy which 
still serve as a model in neighbouring countries (Mali); 
- Need to make producers aware of current and future issues in the sector 
(sustainability, management of land plots and natural resources, local 
development); 
- Need to strengthen the role of cotton growers in local governance and 
rural development bodies. 
Objectives - Boost functional literacy in cotton zones; 
- Identify new training modules in relation to sustainability in the sector (soil 
protection and replenishment; crop rotation, rural land registry, succession 
in terms of farmers and crop types, decentralization); 
- Train cotton-growers in other rural crafts related to cotton, construction, 
blacksmith skills, as well as in social and environmental standards and the 
management of decentralized groupings; 
- Transform current cotton growers into genuine drivers of local 
development. 
Content of the activity and tasks - Promoting widespread use of new soil protection and replenishment 
techniques; 
- Information, awareness-raising and functional literacy; 
- Training sessions on rural crafts and equipment; 
- Monitoring the effectiveness of these new projects in support of cotton 
producers. 
Lead entity INTERCOTON / Cotton and Cashew Council / National Federation of Cotton 
Producers  
Execution Consultant trainers / National Rural Development Support Agency (ANADER) 
Amount 300 million FCFA 
Sector/Donor/State, C2D, Agricultural Sector Support Project  (PSAC), Support 
Programme for Recovery of the Agricultural Sectors in Côte d'Ivoire (PARFACI)  
Time-frame Annual  
Roles of the 
Cotton and Cashew Council - Participate in the selection of consultant trainers; 
- Validate the proposed content of modules and subject matter; 
- Propose other subject matter and capacity-building actions for 
stakeholders in the cotton sector; 
- Ensure that the new capacity-building modules for cotton growers are 
implemented and are effective; 
- Participate in the selection of beneficiaries of the training and 
capacity-building actions. 
Implementation follow-up Progress to be monitored: Securing financing; Recruitment of the consultancy 
firm and kick-off meeting; Support programme on cotton activities; 
Functional literacy programme; Selection of first target audiences, evaluation 
of first training sessions. 
Prerequisites  Compilation of the benefits of functional literacy available (benchmarking or 
bibliography); Funding available; Relevant cotton sector stakeholders identified. 
  
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