Tanzania, Zambia Improve Cotton Yield

Natural Fibers

Tanzania, Zambia Improve Cotton Yield

Tanzania's Kwimba District Commissioner, Mtemi Msafiri has said that the district is expecting to harvest 10,000 tons of cotton during this harvesting season, which is an increase of 75% compared to the previous cotton farming seasons.

He noted that the rise in cotton harvest has been attributed by knowledge provided to cotton farmers on how to effectively practice cotton farming including controlling pests. "Extension agricultural officers have established farming lessons on cotton growing to farmers in a move to improve yields," he said

However, he warned cotton farmers of selling their harvests beyond the municipality in a bid to increase revenue collection. The Member of Parliament for Sumve Constituency, Richard Ndassa, said that the relevant authorities should raise the price of cotton from the current Tanzanian Shilling 1,000 per kilo. "Poverty level among cotton farmers is high despite the crop being expected to improve their livelihoods," he said.

Zambia's cotton sector set for growth

Zambia's cotton industry is poised to grow following the increase in value addition to the crop and its inclusion on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) by Government, Cotton Development Trust director Lwisya Silwimba has said. Silwimba said the country is now producing on average 150,000 tonnes of seed cotton per annum compared to the average levels of about 35,000 tonnes around 10 years ago.

"The country was producing a measly 35,000 tonnes of seed cotton when the industry began in 1994 but over time, production has increased ranging from 100,000 to 150,000 tonnes depending on the season. "These positive developments are due to government's commitment to promote value addition through partnerships with a ginnery in Mumbwa to train farmers on yarn production to make scarves, chitenges and other finished materials. Also the intention to revive Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe has sent positive signals to farmers," he said.