Impacts of Farmer Field Schools on Cotton Growers in Asia

More than half of the world’s cotton lint is produced in Asian countries: China contributes 24 percent (6.3 Mt of raw cotton), India 16 percent (4.1 Mt) and Pakistan 10 percent (2.5 Mt) to the total world cotton production (Kooistra, 2006). The cotton-based farming systems differ for management practices and cropping pattern across and within countries, however in common they have the size often smaller than one-half hectare. Cotton is the only crop that gives extra cash for family expenses to millions of smallscale Asian farmers. The cotton chain, including processing and textile industries, provides employment to even a larger population of low-salary factory workers, many of them women. In these countries promoting cotton cultivation is an important part of development strategies to reduce rural poverty.