Dr. Kouloumégué Dembélé, CEO of the Compagnie malienne pour le développement des textiles (CMDT), recently visited Kita, Mali, as part of a tour to engage with cotton producers and stakeholders. The visit aimed to launch the 2026-2027 cotton harvesting and marketing campaign. The delegation, which included representatives from the Confédération des sociétés coopératives des producteurs de coton (C-SCPC) and the Conseil national de Transition (CNT), met with local authorities, producers, transporters, and other stakeholders.
The discussions focused on the challenges facing the cotton industry, including financial constraints, climate change, and fluctuations in global cotton prices. Dr. Dembélé emphasized the importance of regular consultations with stakeholders to address these challenges. He also highlighted the strategic role of the Kita region in Mali's cotton production and the need for increased support for local producers. The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to express their concerns and propose solutions.
Modibo Camara, president of the Fédération régionale des sociétés coopératives des producteurs de coton de Kita, stressed the significance of cotton in the region's economy. However, he lamented the shortage of agricultural inputs and production losses due to pest attacks. Camara suggested that providing inputs at the time of cotton seed purchase and increasing technical and financial support to producers could improve the situation.
Other stakeholders, including transporters and oilseed processors, also shared their concerns. Transporters complained about delayed payments, which hinder vehicle maintenance and impact cotton collection and transportation. Oilseed processors highlighted the shortage of cotton seeds, a crucial raw material for their operations. They advocated for better access to this resource, which would also enable the production of animal feed.
The meeting provided a forum for stakeholders to voice their concerns and propose solutions. The CMDT delegation took note of the issues raised and pledged to analyze them. Dr. Dembélé assured stakeholders that their concerns would be addressed and that solutions would be explored to improve working conditions across the cotton value chain.
The performance of Mali's cotton industry depends not only on yields but also on the ability of stakeholders to work in favorable conditions. The CMDT's engagement with stakeholders aims to strengthen collaboration and address challenges facing the industry. The company's efforts to listen to stakeholders and adapt to changing circumstances are crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability of Mali's cotton sector.
The CMDT's visit to Kita is part of a broader effort to engage with stakeholders across the country. By working closely with producers, transporters, and other stakeholders, the company aims to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of Mali's cotton industry. The success of this approach will depend on the effective implementation of solutions proposed by stakeholders and the CMDT's commitment to addressing the challenges facing the industry.
Key points
- Dr. Kouloumégué Dembélé, CEO of CMDT, engages with cotton producers and stakeholders in Kita to address challenges and improve working conditions.
