Cotton Producers in Northwestern Mozambique – Challenges and Opportunities
- Fundação RESET
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Cotton remains a critical cash crop for smallholder farmers in Mozambique, particularly in the northwestern region. Despite its economic significance, the sector faces multiple challenges, including low productivity, limited technical assistance, and volatility in international cotton prices. This study aims to analyse the socio-economic conditions of cotton producers in concession areas, assess production constraints, and propose measures to enhance the sector’s sustainability.
Key Findings
Low productivity is one of the main constraints affecting cotton production in Mozambique. This is largely driven by delayed planting, insufficient pest control, and the small size of agricultural plots. Farmers frequently prioritise food crops such as maize over cotton, limiting investment in improved cultivation practices. Declining international cotton prices have further discouraged smallholders, pushing many to shift to alternative crops such as tobacco and sesame, which offer more immediate financial returns.
Another major challenge is the lack of technical support and the limited effectiveness of agricultural extension services. Although cotton companies supply inputs such as seeds and insecticides, the delivery of agronomic recommendations remains weak. Farmers struggle to adopt best practices, resulting in low-quality cotton and production inefficiencies. In addition, perceptions of unfair pricing and weight measurement at buying points have undermined trust in the system, reducing farmers’ motivation to remain engaged in cotton production.
Despite these challenges, cotton continues to be a vital source of income for rural households, enabling families to purchase essential goods. Strengthening the sector will require targeted interventions, including expanded technical training, improved access to high-quality inputs, and policy reforms that support smallholder farmers. Enhancing producer organisations and ensuring fair pricing mechanisms can also contribute to greater resilience and long-term sustainability in the cotton industry.
To revitalise Mozambique’s cotton sector, stakeholders must address productivity barriers, improve farmer–company relations, and introduce policies that ensure fair compensation for smallholders. Investments in research, better extension services, and alternative cultivation techniques adapted to small-scale farmers will be crucial to maintaining the industry. Without these measures, Mozambique risks losing a key economic activity that supports thousands of rural households.
Bibliographic Source:
RESET Foundation is committed with the The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By leveraging multidimensional poverty insights, Mozambique and other developing nations can work towards a more equitable and sustainable future, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against poverty. The reports are linked to several SDGs:
