DODOMA: Tanzania is accelerating efforts to modernise cotton farming through mechanisation and technology adoption, aiming to boost productivity and compete more effectively in a global market shaped by shifting supply chains and rising textile demand.
Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo said the government is prioritising innovation to transform cotton production from labour-intensive practices into a more efficient, technology-driven sector.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Dodoma, Chongolo said the use of modern equipment was already improving farm productivity and attracting new entrants into the sector.
The meeting, held at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre, brought together regional leaders, farmers and industry stakeholders from key cotton-growing areas.
The government has procured 780 tractors during the current farming season, including 100 acquired by private ginners, alongside the deployment of about 60 agricultural drones and self-propelled spraying machines.
“These technologies are helping farmers expand production and improve efficiency,” Chongolo said.
Tanzania’s push comes at a time when global cotton markets are being reshaped by both demand growth and supply diversification. Production remains dominated by India, China and the United States, with Brazil and Australia emerging as major exporters.
In Africa, producers such as Benin, Mali and Burkina Faso have expanded output, supplying fast-growing textile industries in Asia.
Global demand for cotton remains supported by population growth and rising incomes, particularly in Asia, although prices are increasingly influenced by climate variability, input costs and competition from synthetic fibres.
Closing the productivity gap
Within this competitive landscape, Tanzania is seeking to raise yields and improve fibre quality to meet international standards and expand its export footprint.
Christopher Gachuma, chairperson of the Tanzania Cotton Board, said about one million acres were cultivated in the previous season, with average yields of around 200 kilogrammes per farmer — significantly below global benchmarks.
He said output needs to more than double to at least 500 kilogrammes per season to meet market demand and enhance competitiveness.
Tanzania expands access to farm machinery in drive to modernise agriculture
Simiyu Regional Commissioner Anamringi Macha called for stronger coordination between extension officers and farmers, noting improvements in input distribution and storage infrastructure.
Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule said the region is expanding cotton farming from a small base and stands to benefit from improved practices and knowledge-sharing.
Industrialisation and value addition
Chongolo said the government will continue supporting the sector through training, input subsidies and regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening the entire value chain, from production to processing.
Beyond agriculture, officials see cotton as a strategic entry point into textile manufacturing and industrialisation — an area where many African economies are seeking to capture more value rather than exporting raw materials.
The success will depend not only on raising farm productivity but also on improving logistics, processing capacity and integration into global value chains, as countries compete to secure a larger share of the textile market.
For Tanzania, the modernisation drive reflects a broader effort to align agriculture with industrial policy — linking rural productivity gains to export growth and job creation in downstream industries.