“ We grew cotton for the first time thanks to USAID C4CP and with ONDR support .”
C4CP is working to improve household production , income , and food security .
The USAID C-4 Cotton Partnership ( C4CP ) project targets men and women farmers in cotton-producing areas of the C-4 countries ( Benin , Burkina Faso , Chad , and Mali ) to improve household production , income , and food security of smallholder farmers , particularly cotton producers and processors .
Training is an essential component to reaching the project ’ s goal . Through the production and dissemination of training modules , and in cooperation with local partners , C4CP teaches GAPs to extension workers . While learning these methods in a classroom-style setting is helpful , like many IFDC projects , the results of GAPs are best seen firsthand . Demonstration plots established by lead farmers make the “ theoretical ” learning a reality .
In Chad , for example , the project established demonstration plots in women-owned fields to better reach women ’ s groups . Two project partners , the Office Nationale du Développement Rural ( ONDR ) and the Société Cotonnière du Tchad , participated in the establishment of and training in these demonstration plots . The on-farm sessions directly trained around 200 women farmers .
To maximize these efforts , the project trained groups of agricultural extension agents from project partners . With each agent working with an average of 70-75 farmers , project efforts reached nearly 6,000 farmers – more than 1,500 of whom were women . These participants were glad to learn more , and according to them , “ We grew cotton for the first time thanks to USAID C4CP and with ONDR support .”
The approach and results are similar in Burkina Faso , where women represent 52 percent of the population and are relegated to farm marginal lands . Training these women is key to tapping into their potential – improving productivity , income , and food security .
The Coobsa Agricultural Service Provider Cooperative ( COPSA-C ), a project partner with 2,500 members , participated in training one of its agricultural producer associations . The Vlassor Group , comprised of 75 percent women , were trained in the application of GAPs to the rotational crops grown in association with cotton .
One of the group members , with project assistance , established a
PROJECT
EFFORTS REACHED
6,000 .
MORE THAN 1,500
WERE WOMEN .
demonstration field . Hien Kouniké provided a site to showcase techniques for improved maize and cowpea production . From soil preparation , plowing , and seeding to fertilizer application and field maintenance , Kouniké explained what she had learned during IFDC training sessions .
Kouniké ’ s success impressed all of the visitors – with many commenting on the demonstration field being an excellent place to learn . According to one attendee , “ At the beginning of the practical training … when we learned about the recommendation to space out the seed holes every 30 centimeters , we said between ourselves that we thought this effort would be a lost cause . However , seeing the results , this is something to be shared with others .”
Funded by USAID , the project will continue to disseminate innovative training modules on GAPs , promoting the use of improved varieties and recommended techniques to sustainably improve agricultural productivity in West and Central Africa .
16