The CTCB, la “Coalition pour la Transformation du Coton Bio” / Coalition for the transformation of organic coton is an organisation who’s primary mission is to centralize information concerning the demand for organic cotton in West Africa in order to form a unified buying block and secure the raw material for processing locally. A public event organized by in Bobo Dioulasso. It’s secondar
y mission is to promote African made organic cotton products. Any actor invested in processing African grown, organic cotton to any stage beyond spinning meets the criteria for becoming a member. The initiative has it’s beginnings in Burkina Faso, in the heart of West Africa in response to the West African cotton industry’s tendency to export its cotton, including organic cotton, as a raw material, to countries outside the continent, leaving little or none for local artisans, designers and businesses. The coalition’s first order of business is to organize demand and production in the West African region but once that mission is established, the coalition is open to working with actors in the field of organic cotton processing across the continent and envisions a movement of pan African cross promotion. When organic cotton was first established on the continent, it was set up primarily as a raw material to be exported. However it is evident that local textile manufacturers should be allowed to use this local, natural resource and exploit it’s business potential. As West African made textiles are generally made with labor-intensive, human powered techniques, the base material is only a small component of the total cost. This means that the small increase in price of organic cotton adds great perceived value to this precious work without adding significant cost. For instance, the cost of a shirt made from hand woven fabric is only 3% more, when made with organic cotton. However it is very difficult for textile artisans in the region to access organic cotton yarn. This is because yarn is spun with a highly industrial process that demands massive quantities and the small regional artisan groups can’t buy the required minimums. Meanwhile the international market gobbles up the fiber and leaves little and sometimes nothing for local artisans. We propose this coalition of organic cotton consumers based in Africa : designers, artisans and merchants. If we unite, we will have the buying power needed to keep organic yarn in stock for the local demand on an as needed basis. When African based textile makers and designers can join the international rising market for ethical products, new opportunities open. Local consumers are price sensitive but they are also sensitive to ethical considerations and are proud to buy African made products. Organic cotton is the ultimate of "African made", with cotton that has no need for outside inputs from multinational agro-business companies. Members of the Coalition
The coalition invites the adherence of all entities that invest in the processing of organic cotton in West Africa at any stage in the value chain from spinning to weaving, dyeing and the confection of clothing. It can include everyone from small artisan groups and associations to large companies committed to buying organic cotton yarn rather than fiber. Large organic cotton yarn clients are important to keep a steady production of the yarn. Small and medium sized textile, dyeing and confection companies are just as important for the jobs and economic activity they contribute to the local economy. Making of the Yarn
Currently the practical elements are all in place in Burkina Faso for supplying local demand with yarn made of the African grown organic cotton supplied by the UNPCB, ginned at the organic gin, Secobio in Koudougou and spun by FILSAH, the spinning factory located in Bobo Dioulasso. The factory has recently modernized it’s production machines and added a capacity to make high quality ringspun yarn. The challenge that the CTCB adresses is centralizing regional demand for the organic cotton yarn and organizing a yearly production to satisfy that demand plus a little extra to allow for new members and markets. Member Requirements
Any actor invested in processing African organic cotton beyond ginning is welcome to join the Coalition. The adhesion fee is a 10000 fcfa or $16 and a yearly fee of 6000 fcfa or $10 Recognizing that it is already a financial investment that can be difficult for some to buy organic yarn the membership fees are low in order to accommodate all potential members regardless of their financial capacities. Now you can JOIN THE MOVEMENT �
