{"id":47832,"date":"2024-03-26T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/?p=47832"},"modified":"2024-03-26T12:54:06","modified_gmt":"2024-03-26T17:54:06","slug":"organic-farming-aklampa-benin-obepab-panuk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/organic-farming-aklampa-benin-obepab-panuk\/","title":{"rendered":"Empowering Cotton Communities through Organic Farming in Aklampa, Benin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Magnum Photographer Lindokuhle Sobekwa travels to Benin to meet with local cotton farmers, who, thanks to partnering with<\/em> <em>OBEPAB (Beninese Organization for the Promotion of Organic Agriculture) and PAN UK (Pesticide Action Network UK), have seen their communities transform through organic and inclusive approaches.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s February in the town of Glazou\u00e9 in Benin\u2019s central Aklampa district, and harvest season is nearing its end. The sun is high in the sky, and local smallholder farmers are busy weighing their yields. The community is gathered around a tall mound of soft white cotton, which is slowly packed into large wicker baskets and placed on the scales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among the group are Paul Leode and Elisabeth Degbohoue. The pair have been farming their own plots of land organically since 2007 and 2009 respectively, growing cotton in rotation with pigeon peas, peanuts, sesame and manioc, also known as cassava. They keep what they need to feed their family and sell the rest at the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leode and Degbohoue are two of around eight thousand farmers working with the Beninese Organization for the Promotion of Organic Agriculture (OBEPAB), which trains local farmers in organic farming and promotes gender inclusivity. Now, they are safe in the knowledge that the soil that sustains them and their seven children \u2013 through both food crops and cotton \u2013 is free from chemical inputs. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe switch to organic farming practices has enabled my family and I to feel better about our health and to improve the condition of our soils,\u201d Leode shares, speaking to the holistic benefits that come with rotating cash crops with food to eat and reducing exposure to hazardous pesticides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThanks to organic cotton production, I\u2019m able to rotate and combine food crops with growing products to sell without having to worry about contamination. As a result, I no longer need to go to the market to buy food products, because I produce enough to meet my family&#8217;s needs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cProducing organic cotton is a change of behavior that has never been easy,\u201d he adds, \u201cbut with the conviction and the spirit of protecting health and the environment, I have had the courage and the will to overcome the use of chemical inputs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<section id=\"page-block-block_4ca0c21f46919d7af6fc5cea41f1e252\" class=\"acf-block block-img-comp\">\n\t\t<div class=\"container-fluid\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row fluid-two-small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"aspectratio ratio-1x1 block-img-single\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"356\" height=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-356x474.jpg\" class=\"attachment-standard-width-block size-standard-width-block\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-356x474.jpg 356w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-360x480.jpg 360w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-749x999.jpg 749w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-189x252.jpg 189w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-630x838.jpg 630w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-356x474@2x.jpg 712w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-768x1024@2x.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-360x480@2x.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-749x999@2x.jpg 1498w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-189x252@2x.jpg 378w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-630x838@2x.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243957-large-300x400@2x.jpg 600w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"aspectratio ratio-2x1 block-img-single\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8351-large-1536x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8351-large-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8351-large-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8351-large-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8351-large-711x474.jpg 711w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8351-large-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8351-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8351-large-720x480@2x.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8351-large-900x600@2x.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8351-large-711x474@2x.jpg 1422w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8351-large-335x223@2x.jpg 670w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"row fluid-two-small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4 order-last\">\n\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"aspectratio ratio-1x1 block-img-single\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"356\" height=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-356x474.jpg\" class=\"attachment-standard-width-block size-standard-width-block\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-356x474.jpg 356w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-360x480.jpg 360w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-749x999.jpg 749w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-189x252.jpg 189w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-630x838.jpg 630w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-356x474@2x.jpg 712w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-768x1024@2x.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-360x480@2x.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-749x999@2x.jpg 1498w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-189x252@2x.jpg 378w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-630x838@2x.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243977-large-300x400@2x.jpg 600w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8 order-first\">\n\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"aspectratio ratio-2x1 block-img-single\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243963-large-1536x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243963-large-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243963-large-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243963-large-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243963-large-711x474.jpg 711w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243963-large-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243963-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243963-large-720x480@2x.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243963-large-900x600@2x.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243963-large-711x474@2x.jpg 1422w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243963-large-335x223@2x.jpg 670w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Creating space for hands-on learning in the field<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When Leode and Degbohoue first decided to participate in the training, they wanted to move away from conventional agricultural chemicals, complaining of skin irritation, dizziness and coughing from contact with chemical pesticides. They had also observed a drop in soil fertility from the prolonged usage of chemical fertilizers, spurring their search for alternative options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, the couple have learned how to use trap crops like okra and bissap \u2013 also known as hibiscus \u2013 and biopes<ins>ti<\/ins>cides made from ground neem seeds to deter pests on their land. They stay on top of regular weeding to keep their fields clean, replace fertlizers with compost and palm kernel cake, and graze cattle on their plots between rotations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While cotton supports the livelihoods of half the population in Benin, these methods were long been seen as going against the grain, and women were left out of the conversation. Recognizing the value that an alternative approach to agriculture could bring to local communities, local agronomist Professor Simplice Davo Vodouhe started OBEPAB in 1996 to begin training farmers in an organic, inclusive model, with support from Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe started with cotton, because that is the main crop in Benin that uses pesticides, and with a group of just 17 farmers,\u201d Professor Vodouhe shares. This hands-on approach, based on the Farmer Field School (FFS) model, has since put the learning in the hands of farmers while also understanding and addressing their needs \u2013 setting them up for long-term resiliency and independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn a Farmer Field School we host a group of about 25 farmers regularly throughout the season on a \u201clearning plot\u201d where they trial different practices and observe the results for themselves,\u201d adds Rajan Bhopal, International Project Manager at PAN UK. \u201cWith this approach, farmers rapidly adopt organic agriculture.\u201d Today, OBEPAB supports more than five thousand certified organic farmers and three thousand farmers in conversion to organic.<\/p>\n\n\n<section id=\"page-block-block_7d1b69a17b022bd9af72198eff2fba63\" class=\"acf-block block-img-comp\">\n\t\t<div class=\"container-fluid\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row fluid-two-small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"aspectratio ratio-1x1 block-img-single\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"356\" height=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-356x474.jpg\" class=\"attachment-standard-width-block size-standard-width-block\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-356x474.jpg 356w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-360x480.jpg 360w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-749x999.jpg 749w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-189x252.jpg 189w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-630x838.jpg 630w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-356x474@2x.jpg 712w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-768x1024@2x.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-360x480@2x.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-749x999@2x.jpg 1498w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-189x252@2x.jpg 378w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-630x838@2x.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/DSF7550-large-300x400@2x.jpg 600w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"aspectratio ratio-2x1 block-img-single\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8441-large-1536x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8441-large-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8441-large-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8441-large-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8441-large-711x474.jpg 711w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8441-large-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8441-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8441-large-720x480@2x.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8441-large-900x600@2x.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8441-large-711x474@2x.jpg 1422w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8441-large-335x223@2x.jpg 670w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"row fluid-two-small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4 order-last\">\n\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"aspectratio ratio-1x1 block-img-single\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"711\" height=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-711x474.jpg\" class=\"attachment-standard-width-block size-standard-width-block\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-711x474.jpg 711w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-711x474@2x.jpg 1422w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-720x480@2x.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-900x600@2x.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-335x223@2x.jpg 670w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8 order-first\">\n\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"aspectratio ratio-2x1 block-img-single\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8544-large-1536x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8544-large-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8544-large-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8544-large-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8544-large-711x474.jpg 711w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8544-large-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8544-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8544-large-720x480@2x.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8544-large-900x600@2x.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8544-large-711x474@2x.jpg 1422w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8544-large-335x223@2x.jpg 670w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Promoting gender parity from the ground up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Alongside training farmers in organic practices, OBEPAB and PAN UK are committed to cultivating gender parity from the ground up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Degbohoue\u2019s own success speaks to the value of this approach. She now manages an area of land twice as big as the one she started out with. What\u2019s more, women make up 30% of the local organic farmers participating in the project, which is three times as many as for conventional cotton in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This shift would not have been possible without expanding community perceptions around what women can do. \u201cThanks to the production of organic cotton and the support I get from OBEPAB, my husband has given me good land for my own production,\u201d Degbohoue explains speaking to the success of one of its less conventionally named focus groups: the School for Husbands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn the beginning, when men had finished using their land, they&#8217;d leave it to their wives to crop,\u2019 explains Professor Vodouhe. \u201cThis meant that women were left with poor land with very low yields. So, we needed men to give better land to their wives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OBEPAB went on to organize a workshop to help men and women discuss how to improve the situation, educating men to ensure women are given fertile land. And starting out with better soil became a significant step towards their financial independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith better land and improved yield, women were able to get direct revenue from people who buy their products,\u201d Vodouhe continues. \u201cThis also improved the overall situation of their households, as it meant they could invest money to help their children go to school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Degbohoue, having access to better land has led to better yields, increased revenue, and financial independence. \u201cI first work in my own field before helping my husband in his,\u201d she notes. \u201cWhat&#8217;s more, my husband no longer has much say in how I manage my income.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<section id=\"page-block-block_6ca971d65a5964465b6802c021b37f2c\" class=\"acf-block block-img-comp\">\n\t\t<div class=\"container-fluid\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row fluid-two-small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"aspectratio ratio-1x1 block-img-single\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"711\" height=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243967-large-711x474.jpg\" class=\"attachment-standard-width-block size-standard-width-block\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243967-large-711x474.jpg 711w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243967-large-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243967-large-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243967-large-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243967-large-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243967-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243967-large-711x474@2x.jpg 1422w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243967-large-720x480@2x.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243967-large-900x600@2x.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243967-large-335x223@2x.jpg 670w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"aspectratio ratio-2x1 block-img-single\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243965-large-1536x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243965-large-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243965-large-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243965-large-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243965-large-711x474.jpg 711w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243965-large-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243965-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243965-large-720x480@2x.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243965-large-900x600@2x.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243965-large-711x474@2x.jpg 1422w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243965-large-335x223@2x.jpg 670w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"row fluid-two-small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4 order-last\">\n\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"aspectratio ratio-1x1 block-img-single\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"632\" height=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-632x474.jpg\" class=\"attachment-standard-width-block size-standard-width-block\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-632x474.jpg 632w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-1365x1024.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-630x474.jpg 630w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-335x252.jpg 335w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-632x474@2x.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-640x480@2x.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-900x675@2x.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-630x474@2x.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-335x252@2x.jpg 670w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8 order-first\">\n\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"aspectratio ratio-2x1 block-img-single\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-1536x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-711x474.jpg 711w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-720x480@2x.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-900x600@2x.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-711x474@2x.jpg 1422w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-335x223@2x.jpg 670w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Paving the way for financial freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Together with OBEPAB and PAN UK, the local farmers have shown that it is not only possible to avoid the use of pesticides and chemical inputs, but that doing so paves the way for financial freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the around five thousand farms that are now certified organic, yields are maintained in line with conventional cotton but reduced production costs and a premium price for organic have led to significantly increased profit and greater resilience. In addition, with intercropping and rotation farming techniques, farmers are creating new revenue streams while continually nourishing their soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c[Organic farming] has enabled me to improve our income through a 20% premium on top of the conventional price,\u201d Leode shares, speaking to the premium that\u00a0AIC &#8211; the National Interprofessional Cotton Association &#8211;<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>pays for organic.\u00a0\u201cThrough my income, it has enabled me to send my children to school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet despite the successes seen, OBEPAB relies on donors to fund its programs and is keen to attract funding from the private buyers of organic cotton to help cover the costs of training and certification, and support more farmers to convert to organic. Better purchasing practices, such as longer-term commitments would lend more stability to farmers and provide increased assurance for Benin\u2019s fast-growing organic cotton sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Establishing the long-term resilience of Benin\u2019s thriving organic cotton sector will be key to making sure any funds from the successes seen so far are invested back into the community. And this is how Degbohoue envisages her earnings being used, along with those of other women who are inspired to join her on the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBy spreading and adopting organic farming on a massive scale, we will be able to build social and community infrastructure in our locality such as wells, shops, and small means of transport to local markets,\u201d she summarizes. \u201cI also hope that spreading the benefits of organic farming will help to protect our environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<section id=\"page-block-block_dea6508dc9e0ecb4f843641982e7a1a6\" class=\"acf-block block-content-section has-sand-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">See the full story<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Empowering Cotton Communities in Aklampa, Benin<\/h2>\n\n\n\t<section id=\"page-block-block_2123ec1feb63e59c48f4aea806579610\" class=\"acf-block block-slider-gallery slider-gallery block-slider-gallery--flexible\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"gallery-slider\n gallery-slider--fluid\">\n\t<div class=\"container-fluid-slider\">\n\t\t<div class=\"gallery-slider__slider-fluid\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gallery-slider__single-slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"gallery-slider__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gallery-slider__image-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243961-large-720x480.jpg\" class=\"attachment-slider-image-flexible size-slider-image-flexible\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243961-large-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243961-large-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243961-large-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243961-large-711x474.jpg 711w, 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class=\"attachment-slider-image-flexible size-slider-image-flexible\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-711x474.jpg 711w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-720x480@2x.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-900x600@2x.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-711x474@2x.jpg 1422w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8424-large-335x223@2x.jpg 670w\" 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\/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gallery-slider__single-slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"gallery-slider__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gallery-slider__image-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8636-large-720x480.jpg\" class=\"attachment-slider-image-flexible size-slider-image-flexible\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8636-large-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8636-large-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8636-large-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8636-large-711x474.jpg 711w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/3C6A8636-large-335x223.jpg 335w, 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https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-720x480@2x.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-900x600@2x.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-711x474@2x.jpg 1422w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243966-large-335x223@2x.jpg 670w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gallery-slider__single-slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"gallery-slider__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gallery-slider__image-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243962-large-720x480.jpg\" class=\"attachment-slider-image-flexible size-slider-image-flexible\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243962-large-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243962-large-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243962-large-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243962-large-711x474.jpg 711w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243962-large-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243962-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243962-large-720x480@2x.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243962-large-900x600@2x.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243962-large-711x474@2x.jpg 1422w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243962-large-335x223@2x.jpg 670w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gallery-slider__single-slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"gallery-slider__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gallery-slider__image-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-640x480.jpg\" class=\"attachment-slider-image-flexible size-slider-image-flexible\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-1365x1024.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-632x474.jpg 632w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-630x474.jpg 630w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-335x252.jpg 335w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-640x480@2x.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-900x675@2x.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-632x474@2x.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-630x474@2x.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MG1243959-large-335x252@2x.jpg 670w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Lindokuhle Sobekwa&nbsp;sat on the judging panel of our 2022&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/materials-matter-competition-with-magnum-photos\/\">photography competition<\/a>&nbsp;with Magnum Photos, which called on photographers to explore the visual stories that take place when fibers and materials are cultivated, created, spun, woven, sewn, loved and cherished \u2013 gaining cultural and emotional significance through the journey<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Magnum Photographer Lindokuhle Sobekwa travels to Benin to meet with local cotton farmers, who, thanks to partnering with OBEPAB and PAN UK,have seen their communities transform through organic and inclusive approaches.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":47867,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"43969,44664,43565,27024,44852,38975","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[453,440],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47832","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2024-2","category-docu-stories"],"acf":[],"eight29_custom":[],"featured_image":{"thumbnail":{"src":"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Image-2_1290x724-190x106.png","width":190,"height":106,"srcset":"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Image-2_1290x724-190x106.png 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