THE COTTON
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMME
T
he Cotton Technical Assistance
Programme, launched in 2012, funded
by Ministry of External Aff airs under 2nd
India Africa Forum Summit and implemented by
Department of Commerce is being implemented
in six African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso,
Chad, Malawi, Nigeria and Uganda. This
initiative was in response to the request of
Cotton-4 countries at the WTO for Government
of India’s assistance for developing the cotton
sector.
Cotton plays a pivotal role in the exports and
GDP of the Cotton-4 countries (Benin, Burkina
Faso, Chad and Mali), Nigeria, Malawi and
Uganda. It provides a source of livelihood for
millions of farmers and their families and due
to this high dependency of these countries on
cotton, the performance of the sector directly
infl uences the state of these economies.
The Cotton Technical Assistance Programme
was started by the Government of India in 2012
for African countries including Malawi and the
fi rst phase was completed in September 2016.
The programme strengthens the competitiveness
of the cotton industry through technology
transfer, enhanced capabilities of stakeholders,
transferring best practices in cotton cultivation,
R&D, extension systems through training,
setting up of infrastructure facilities, high-
quality lint production, improved ginning
facilities, development of residue-based
industry, and production of value-added industry
activities. The programme has already trained
200 participants and 25 trainers from Malawi
through regional training and exposure visits
in India.
The programme was extended for a further
period of 5 years (2016-2020). The government
of India has set up the ‘Skill School for Apparel
Manufacturing’ with 20 Industrial Sewing
Machines, Books and Cutting equipment. The
Skill School has trained the Master Trainers
from Malawi and has the capacity to train 20
Malawians at a time. The project has been
handed over to Government of Malawi in
September 2016 along with certificates to
the trainees. The school is located at Mkoka
Agriculture Research Station in Malawi under
IAFS-II.
India has a well-developed cotton and textile
industry and therefore suitably placed to assist
these countries. India is a prominent player in
the global cotton and textile industry in all the
segments of the value chain and its experience
would be highly relevant for these countries.
The Cotton Technical Assistance Programme
(TAP) has been designed keeping in view what
these countries need and what best India can
off er considering its strengths and experience.
References:
• http://www.hcililongwe.gov.in/page/
relations/
• http://www.cottontapafrica.org/background.
html
• https://commerce.gov.in/writereaddata/trade/
Cotton_Tech_Astt._Prg_African_Countries_
TAP.pdf
2019 • INDIA-MALAWI • 21