Sustainable Development Success Stories
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CSD-8: Sustainable Development Success Stories |
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Egypt (Fayoum, Kaliubea, Abou Matameer), SEKEM Cairo |
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Responsible Organization |
Egyptian Biodynamic Association EBDA, SEKEM |
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Description |
Cotton is known worldwide as one of the most pesticide intensive crops. 18 percent of the chemical plant protection active ingredients are used worldwide in cotton fields, which represent only 0.8 percent of the cultivated areas in the whole world. Due to the positive experience SEKEM initiative has made in the biodynamic cultivation of herbs, cereals and vegetables, the Egyptian Government asked SEKEM in 1990 to develop a biodynamic cultivation method for cotton, as cotton is an important cash crop in Egypt. During the following years, SEKEM initiative developed a holistic biodynamic concept for organic cotton cultivation in close co-operation with scientists, farmers, consultants and consumers. This concept introduced for the first time in Egypt the use of pheromones to control cotton insects. Trained and experienced advisors support the farmers during the whole cultivation process. The cultivated varieties are two extra long stable and long season types. At the moment (1999) there are in Egypt 162 biodynamic farms, certified according to international standards (EU Reg. 2092/91 and Int. DEMETER Standards) with a total area of 5,145 acres and 65 farms grow biodynamic cotton on an area of 815 acres. In special processing steps, developed with Egyptian experts, the biodynamic cotton is spun, knitted or woven, dyed and finished without any synthetic chemical additives by mechanical and thermic measures. From the ready-made material, SEKEM textile factory produces high-quality children's and baby wear. The distribution is based on two different ways. Firstly the export through the partner companies, who mainly supply important wholesalers in the United States, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Secondly since 1995 through intensive local marketing and distribution. The nine SEKEM Shops in Cairo and a retailer chain with 10 boutiques in Cairo and Alexandria are selling the organic textiles successfully. The project is financing itself through the profits it gains out of the activities mentioned and will be continued. |
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Issues Addressed |
Land resource management, sustainable agriculture |
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Results Achieved |
After the Aswan high dam stopped the fertile Nile mud flooding Egyptian farmers started to use agrochemicals in agriculture. In only 20 years the total amount of pesticides in cotton cultivation raised up to 1,800 tons for 980,000 acres. The average yield of raw cotton remained stable at 900 kg per acre. After applying the biodynamic methods to control the insects, which are nowadays promoted by the Egyptian authorities, the total intake of pesticides in Egyptian cotton areas could be reduced to less than 10 percent of the previous amount on nearly the same cultivation area. Today they are applied on nearly 80 percent of the whole Egyptian cotton cultivation areas. The average yield of raw cotton increased nearly 30 percent to 1,220 kg per acre. Furthermore biodynamic cotton is to a lesser extent contaminated with leaf fragments, has a better fibre elasticity as well as a few other fibre quality parameters, which are in general better than those of cotton from conventional origins. This world wide recognised success led SEKEM initiative to organise the first international IFOAM conference of organic cotton cultivation in Cairo. |
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Lessons Learned |
EBDA and SEKEM have developed an exemplary solution for biodynamic cotton, which covers the whole chain from cultivation to processing, including the marketing up to the customer. This enabled them to build up a comprehensive understanding of the market and its constraints and improved the communication between all parts involved, in order to create products according to the customer’s demands. In addition to that, they gained experience on how big the impact of biodynamic cultivation methods can be if applied to major cash crops, as the conventional methods used are to a big part responsible for land degradation in the most fertile areas of the country. |
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Contacts |
Klaus Merckens |