In Benin, "king cotton" has become a curse

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2005

DJOUGOU, Benin (AFP) — Under a blazing sun, his powerful chest muscles glistening with sweat, 41-year-old Gafary Maya pauses a moment to speak of his plight as a cotton grower here in the west African state of Benin.

"At the end of the last season I produced 80 tonnes of cotton and have so far only gotten three million CFA for it (4,615 euros, 5,442 dollars) instead of 16 million euros" he had expected.

"Because I sold my cotton on credit, three of my children died of hunger between last July and August. The village doctor could do nothing to save them. I don't want to continue watching my children die."

As is the case with many other growers, Maya's life is bedevilled by disorganization in the management of the cotton sector, as well as delays in getting...