Nizoumey village

'Organic cotton is like a well cared for baby, when done well, it gives better revenues and better times;' says organic cotton farmer Michel Atekokale, who has 6 children in school. Thanks to organic cotton, two have passed the BEPC this year; (this is similar to the UK GCSE, or graduation from Junior High in the US). His ambition is to see all his children graduate and then go to university. The oldest, Janvier, wants to study physics, and is about to leave for college/high school to study for a D stream (science) Baccalaureate. The income from organic cotton, higher than in conventional, means that they can rent a house in town for the children in school; Michel has also built a large house in his home village for his children, and bought bicycles for his school age children; The college to which children are being sent is 35-40 kilometres away in Nbega.

Organic cotton also helps with household income and finances; Michel vows to continue with organic cotton and will continue as long as it is around;

This year he has planted 4ha and will plant probably 1 more; Michel hopes for better rains this year, as last year was poor. He has in the past achieved yields of 1.200 kg/ha;

There are now 20 farmers in Nizoumey village, 15 having started originally 7 years ago.

The village organic cotton association has paid the contributory costs for a well for the village (the state pays half) this year; in past years they have used the higher incomes from organic cotton to build a health centre and dispensary in the village, and individual women farmers like Evelyne Atekokale celebrate the independence that the income gives them within the household.   

 

 

Colette Segle says that 'organic cotton is especially good for women as there are no more poisonings, and I get my own income as opposed to conventional'; The revenue allows her to look after children, send them to school, and solve her personal financial problems; this year they have sowed again and are happy; They had debts from conventional that she can now pay back; she started farming organic cotton 6 years ago and has planted half a hectare so far already, with more to come. Her yield last year was 600 kg/hectare (Note that this was a bad year!)

Paul Atekokalesays that he values organic cotton as 'we are paid immediately with no long delays like in conventional'. He has bought a bicyle so that he can take his rotation crops to sell in markets elsewhere.

Gogan Atchodo says 'Organic cotton means you have your own money; it's beneficial, especially the work. The revenue means one can do things like build houses. I have also got a pen for my livestock'. Gogan has also built a house in the home village, which is 30kms away in Nbega