Arabfields, Maleeka Kassou, East, West & Central Africa Agriculture Correspondent — Stakeholders from across West and Central Africa gathered this week in the Togolese capital for the 18th annual review meeting of the Regional Program for Integrated Cotton Production in Africa. Nearly 250 participants, including researchers, producers, and industry representatives from eight countries, convened to evaluate the 2025-2026 campaign and address persistent barriers to higher yields.
The event, hosted by the New Togolese Cotton Company, provided a platform for frank discussions on the difficulties confronting the sector. Climate variability, recurring pest outbreaks, and gradual soil degradation continue to weigh on output, even as some nations report modest gains through improved practices.
In Togo, for instance, average yields have risen notably in recent seasons, climbing from around 800 kilograms per hectare to nearly one tonne. Farmers and officials alike welcomed this progress, yet they acknowledged that such advances remain uneven across the region. Similar efforts in neighboring countries have yielded mixed results amid shared environmental pressures.
Pest infestations have proven particularly disruptive. Since 2022, outbreaks of whiteflies and leafhoppers have inflicted losses reaching up to 50 percent of potential harvests in affected areas. Producers expressed concern over these repeated shocks, which erode incomes and discourage investment in the fields.
Martin Drevon, director general of the host company, emphasized the value of these gatherings. He noted that the meetings enable a thorough assessment of campaign outcomes and help streamline operations to make cotton cultivation more efficient. The central goal, he added, lies in securing elevated yields that translate into better revenues for those who depend on the crop.
Koussouwè Kouroufei, who leads Togo’s national federation of cotton producer groups, highlighted the urgent need for effective pest management tools. Participants called for the introduction of improved crop protection products and strategies tailored to local conditions.
Discussions also turned to broader structural issues. Soil fertility management, the development of drought- and pest-resistant varieties, and adaptation measures for changing weather patterns featured prominently. Experts shared insights from ongoing research, stressing the importance of harmonizing approaches across borders to strengthen the entire value chain.
As the meeting drew to a close on April 17, 2026, attendees anticipated concrete recommendations that national authorities could integrate into upcoming agricultural policies. These measures aim to accelerate the adoption of innovations and stabilize key input costs, including those for seeds and fertilizers.
Looking ahead, industry observers project measured growth in the African cotton sector. The regional market, valued at approximately 6.27 billion USD in 2026, is expected to expand toward 7.82 billion USD by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of around 4.5 percent. This outlook rests on gradual increases in cultivated areas in key producers such as Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali, alongside targeted yield improvements through better agronomic practices and digital advisory services for smallholders.
Nevertheless, challenges persist. Global cotton production trends suggest only modest annual gains of about 1.3 percent through the mid-2030s, driven largely by efficiency enhancements rather than area expansion. In West Africa, where most cotton remains rain-fed and small farms predominate, resilience to climate shocks will prove decisive.
Farmers such as those represented in Lomé voiced cautious optimism. Many recalled difficult seasons marked by erratic rains and pest pressure, yet they pointed to recent recoveries as evidence that coordinated action can deliver results. With sustained collaboration among researchers, producers, and processors, the sector may yet achieve the productivity levels needed to support rural livelihoods and compete effectively on international markets.
The Lomé gathering underscored a collective determination to transform longstanding constraints into opportunities for more robust and sustainable cotton production across the region.
