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KENYA’S COTTON SUB-SECTOR REFORMS HIGH GROWTH POTENTIAL. PRIVATE SECTOR PERSPECTIVE. By Fred Kong’ong’o African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF) Secretariat. COTTON IN AFRICA SEMINAR Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, Arusha 7 TH SEPTEMBER, 2007.
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KENYA’S COTTON SUB-SECTOR REFORMS HIGH GROWTH POTENTIAL PRIVATE SECTOR PERSPECTIVE By Fred Kong’ong’o African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF) Secretariat COTTON IN AFRICA SEMINAR Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, Arusha 7TH SEPTEMBER, 2007
Cotton-to-Garment Market and Institutional Support Structure
Reforms • Government • Established cotton Authority • All stakeholders represented • To regulate the sector • Research to improve seed variety • BT trials on going • Supply seeds free, motivate farmers • Government - Private sector Donor led • Most Gins bought by private sector • Struggled to survive • Reforms currently supported and funded by the World Bank • Provide matching grant • All supply chain stakeholders; Established an Apex committee • Positive results; Apex committee developed cotton price formula acceptable to all • Influencing policy chain • Ginners initiative • Formed Association to improve competitiveness and market access • Organized- regional basis -Eastern region well organized so far • Buy input and spare parts together: Economies of scale • Enter contract with farmers-protect territory • Organize joint training for Technicians/ farmers-reduce cost • Joint marketing and export of surplus cotton • Make sense in establishing price and market • Utilizes www.cottonafrica.com for price/market discovery
Bottom Line Needs • Is the glass half full or half empty? • Associations’ commitment to co-operate - formal • Communication & information key • Platform for information sharing • Public sector partnerships / dialogue a must • International alliances / linkages key • Institutional support paramount; still work in progress • Quality lint and honouring of contracts bottom line
WHAT DO WE SAY ABOUT KENYA’S COTTON SUB-SECTOR THE GLASS IS HALF FULL…. Regional & Global Cooperation ~ the key to market development and enhancing competitiveness - directly linked to the industry’s ability & desire to organise itself!