The Cotton Producers of Northwest Mozambique - Challenges and Opportunities
- Fundação RESET
- 14 de mar.
- 2 min de leitura
Cotton remains a crucial cash crop for smallholder farmers in Mozambique, particularly in the northwest region. Despite its economic significance, the sector faces multiple challenges, including low productivity, limited technical assistance, and the volatility of international cotton prices. This study aims to analyze the socio-economic conditions of cotton producers in the concession areas, assess production constraints, and propose measures to improve the sector’s sustainability.
Key Findings
One of the primary issues affecting cotton production in Mozambique is low yield, mainly caused by late sowing, insufficient pest control, and small land sizes. Farmers often prioritize staple crops such as maize over cotton, limiting investment in better farming techniques. The fall in global cotton prices has further discouraged smallholders, pushing them towards alternative crops like tobacco and sesame, which offer higher immediate financial returns.
Another major challenge is the lack of technical support and inefficient extension services. While cotton companies provide inputs such as seeds and insecticides, the transmission of agricultural recommendations remains weak. Farmers struggle with best practices, resulting in low-quality cotton and production inefficiencies. Additionally, the perceived unfairness in pricing and weight measurement at purchasing points has eroded trust in the system, reducing farmers’ motivation to remain engaged in cotton production.
Despite these difficulties, cotton continues to be a critical source of income for rural households, allowing them to afford basic goods. Improving the sector requires targeted interventions, such as enhanced technical training, better access to high-quality inputs, and policy reforms to support smallholders. Strengthening producer organizations and ensuring fair pricing mechanisms can contribute to greater resilience and long-term sustainability in the cotton industry.
To revitalize the cotton sector in Mozambique, 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 farming techniques tailored to small-scale farmers will be crucial in sustaining the industry. Without these measures, Mozambique risks losing a key economic activity that supports thousands of rural families.
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RESET Foundation is committed with the The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study is linked to several SDGs:
The SDG'sG's, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
