The global cotton sector via its cotton, textile and apparel value chains supports the livelihoods of an estimated 26 million households and up to 250 million people worldwide. By providing employment, income and valuable foreign exchange earnings, the value chains are quite critical for economic development particularly in least developed countries (LDCs). Cotton plays a major role in economic development in Africa: 37 of the 53 African countries produce cotton and 30 are exporters. The economies ofLDCs, which collectively account for over 7.0% of the global cotton output, stand to be gravely affected by the COVID-19 driven economic crisis. The pandemic is set to plunge the global economy into a recession that may eclipse the economic damage caused by the Global Financial Crisis of 2007- 2008.
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