The World Food Programme (WFP) Centre of Excellence against Hunger in Brazil received representatives from the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) on Wednesday (26). The aim of the meeting was to discuss partnerships between the textile community and the Centre of Excellence, considering the actions developed by the Centre in the field of food and nutrition security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture. The meeting was attended by ICAC Executive Director Eric Trachtenberg and economist Lorena Ruiz. Representing the Centre of Excellence were the Director, Daniel Balaban; the Partnership Officer, Joélcio Carvalho; the Project Coordinator, Albaneide Peixinho; and the technical assistants, Nayla Almeida and Osiyallê Rodrigues. The meeting highlighted how integrated nutrition, agriculture and environmental actions are capable of promoting the construction of sustainable food systems, with a view to accessing markets.
With the aim of supporting small cotton producers and public institutions in African countries to link cotton by-products and intercropping to safe markets (including school feeding programmes), the WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger started the Beyond Cotton project in 2017, with the support of the Brazilian Cotton Institute (IBA) and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since then, the project has conducted activities related to sustainable agriculture and nutrition in Mozambique, Benin and Tanzania. According to Albaneide Peixinho, “the prerogative of the Beyond Cotton project is that it is possible to guarantee the food and nutritional security of rural populations through the integrated action of commodity and food production, with the aim of diversifying income and providing adequate and healthy nutrition. The results have been achieved through actions developed in partnership with local WFP offices, cooperating Brazilian institutions, local government organisations and the protagonism of the communities involved.”
The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1939 and based in Washington, DC. The Committee plays a key role in supporting the development and sustainability of the global cotton industry, providing technical and economic information on the sector, promoting research and encouraging international cooperation. Through initiatives such as the ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year Award and training programmes, the Committee encourages the adoption of good agricultural and industrial practices, promoting sustainability and efficiency in the cotton production chain.