The Government of India has initiated a US$ 4.66 million programme to develop the cotton industry in seven African countries, viz. Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda.
The project under the aegis of the second India-Africa Forum Summit is for a three-year period from January this year to December 2014.
It aims at strengthening the competitiveness of the cotton sector in the seven African countries through technology transfer, training and ICT-based changes in production.
The training will include disbursement of knowledge in extension technology and post-harvest management.
The Indian initiative also aims to set up pilot projects on crop residue-based industries.
In addition, the project would also include field visits for exposure, advisory support for investment promotion and policy framework, as well as establishment of skill schools.
The India-funded initiative is expected to go a long way in changing the face of the African cotton industry, where production has declined by about 50 percent during the past few years.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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