2026-2027 Cotton Season: SODEFITEX Aims for Record Production in Kédougou

The 2026-2027 cotton season is shaping up well in the Kédougou region. Boosted by favorable rainfall and a significant logistical operation deployed on the ground, the Textile Fiber Development Company (SODEFITEX) has set ambitious goals with a target of 8,500 hectares planted, more than double the area achieved during the previous season.

According to Waly Léon Faye, the regional manager of SODEFITEX in Kédougou, the distribution of inputs and sowing operations are taking place simultaneously in the various production zones. Taking advantage of the first rains recorded in the region, producers have actively engaged in implementing their campaign plan.

“Rainfall conditions are favorable and producers are mobilized. For our part, we are continuing to deliver agricultural inputs directly to the villages to facilitate their access,” he explains.

More than 50% of the fertilizers already distributed

The local strategy implemented by SODEFITEX allows producers to receive inputs without having to travel long distances. To date, more than half of the planned quantities of fertilizer and urea have already been distributed.

Seeds and herbicides, meanwhile, have been made fully available to farmers.

This momentum is fueling high expectations for the current campaign. After cultivating approximately 4,100 hectares during the previous season, SODEFITEX now aims to reach 8,500 hectares, representing an increase of over 100%.

Yields expected to rise slightly

The performance recorded during the 2025-2026 campaign is a cause for optimism. With production exceeding 5,600 tonnes on 4,100 hectares cultivated, the region achieved an average yield of 1.385 tonnes per hectare, representing an increase of more than 80% compared to the 2024-2025 campaign.

For the current season, officials are forecasting an average yield of around 1.4 tonnes per hectare, a level that would consolidate the progress observed in recent years.

Persistent difficulties related to the state of the roads

Despite these encouraging prospects, several constraints continue to hinder field operations. Among these are primarily the accessibility problems of certain villages during the rainy season.

The localities in the Sirimana area are particularly affected. The severely deteriorated roads complicate the transport of inputs and lengthen delivery times.

"The state of the roads remains our main difficulty. Some areas are difficult to access, particularly in the Sirimana sector where the road infrastructure is very degraded," the regional official points out.

A call to accelerate sowing before July 10th

Given the large areas to be sown, SODEFITEX is urging producers to accelerate sowing operations in order to comply with the agricultural calendar.

The goal is to complete sowing before July 10th to allow the crops to benefit from the best growing conditions. This period is considered ideal for obtaining a high proportion of first and second-grade crops, which generally mean better yields and higher incomes.

Focus on quality to maximize revenue

Beyond production, SODEFITEX emphasizes the importance of the quality of the harvested cotton. Producers are encouraged to correctly apply the entire technical package made available to them, to carry out early harvests, and to ensure proper storage in well-ventilated areas.

Training sessions are regularly organised in collaboration with agricultural technical services to support farmers at each stage of the campaign.

During the marketing phase, the quality of cotton directly influences producers' income. First-grade cotton is bought at 350 CFA francs per kilogram, compared to 310 CFA francs for second-grade and 245 CFA francs for third-grade.

For SODEFITEX, the profitability of the sector therefore depends not only on the volumes produced, but also on the quality of the harvest.

“A good yield is important, but good quality is just as important. Producing a lot with mediocre quality represents a loss for the producer. The higher the quality, the higher the income,” reminds Waly Léon Faye.

With just a few weeks left in the optimal sowing period, all eyes are now on the producers in the region, who are called upon to take up the challenge of a campaign that could mark a new turning point in the development of the cotton sector in Kédougou.