Economic importance of cotton in Burkina Faso
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This report investigated the role that cotton production has played in the economic
development and poverty reduction in Burkina Faso, with a principal focus on how cotton
prices, as a proxy to agricultural income, affects economic growth. Findings suggest that
while cotton contributes to modest rates of economic growth, the lack of profitable
investment opportunities in the industrial and service sectors limit agriculture’s growth
potential. The artificially low prices paid to Burkinabe cotton producers suppress farm
income and constrain the long–term buildup of investment capital needed to adopt more
modern and productive technology and management practices. Moreover, the low pricing
has aggravated household’s ability to make any meaningful movement out of poverty. One
of the major points drawn from this report is that Burkina Faso’s cotton sector has emerged
as a model sector that other countries in the region should consider emulating. Burkina Faso
has been forward looking and open to innovation as evidenced by its proactive stance in
adopting Genetically Modified (GM) cotton and its inclusion of the smallholder farming
community as an equal partner in the ginning industry. While cotton sectors in developing
countries will continue to face challenges from declining world markets and sustaining
productivity, Burkina Faso provides a viable path for cotton’s continued presence in West
African agriculture.