Cotton producers in the Central African Republic are sounding the alarm about the challenges affecting their activity. The Ouham-Pendé and Lim-Pendé regions are struggling to evacuate their 2024 and 2025 harvests, with around 50 tonnes of cotton still stored in localities such as Kodi, Ngaoundaye, and Ndim.
The producers are also lamenting the lack of support in terms of inputs, such as fertilizers and other necessary materials for production. They are demanding payment of their arrears, estimated at over 30 million francs CFA. Roger Blaise Kelian, a planter from the village of Bozé 3, 13 kilometers from Paoua, expressed his frustration, stating that despite cultivating cotton in 2024 and 2025, they have not yet been paid.
Louise Mbiou, a planter from the village of Poulao 1, on the Bocaranga axis, shares similar concerns. She deplores the difficulties in evacuating the harvests and calls on the authorities to provide more support to producers. According to her, the situation has become unsustainable, and they are struggling to meet their families' needs.
Éric Béoroféï, head of operations at the National Cotton Office (ONC) in Paoua, attributes the difficulties to the demotivation of producers. He notes that despite introducing a new variety of cotton, the challenges in maintaining plots are affecting production. Many producers have sown their plots but struggle to perform the necessary weeding and treatment.
The cotton industry in the Central African Republic has been in decline for over two decades. As one of the country's main cash crops and export products, alongside coffee and tobacco, it has historically contributed significantly to the national economy. Producers are calling for a revision of the agricultural policy and better support for the sector to prevent further decline.
The situation is critical, with producers struggling to make ends meet. The lack of support and payment for their produce has led to widespread frustration. To address this, the authorities are urged to take immediate action to support the cotton industry and provide relief to the affected producers.
The cotton industry's decline could have far-reaching consequences for the Central African Republic's economy. With the sector facing significant challenges, it is essential to find a solution to prevent further decline and ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Key points
- Cotton producers in Central African Republic's Ouham-Pendé and Lim-Pendé regions face difficulties in evacuating their 2024 and 2025 harvests.
- Producers are demanding payment of their arrears, estimated at over 30 million francs CFA.
- The cotton industry in the Central African Republic has been in decline for over two decades.
