Weak industry links choking cotton revival

CLOUDINE MATOLA
Zimbabwe’s cotton sector, once the backbone of livelihoods across the country, is at a crossroads, with the government calling for urgent, coordinated support from the textiles industry to revive production and restore farmer confidence.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Professor Obert Jiri, has urged yarn producers, spinners, and the broader textiles value chain to actively support cotton farmers, warning that weak linkages between production and industry are stifling growth.

At the heart of the government’s strategy is a push to rebuild a fully integrated cotton value chain, one where farmers, merchants, and manufacturers are aligned to drive local production.

“We want to ensure local production is increased by making sure that all land users support domestic output,” Jiri said. “This is the journey we have been on ensuring that yarn producers and the wider textile industry support the farmers whose lint they depend on.”

Encouragingly, early signs of recovery are beginning to emerge. Jiri noted that cotton output is showing a modest increase this season, a development he attributes to renewed collaboration within the sector.

“We are starting to see that transformation taking place. The crop is on a small increase this year, and we want to see more merchants coming in to support farmers and also vertically integrate ensuring that spinners and weavers actively back the production of the lint they use,” he said.

Despite government interventions, including the importation of hybrid seed varieties and provision of inputs, national cotton output remains subdued. Professor Jiri acknowledged that structural weaknesses, particularly Zimbabwe’s reliance on an export-driven model, continue to undermine recovery efforts.

“We have supported the importation of hybrids to improve yields and ensured the availability of inputs,” he said.

“But production remains low largely because our export-oriented model is facing significant challenges.”

This model has left farmers heavily exposed to global price volatility, a risk that has intensified in recent years.

Zimbabwean cotton, largely hand-picked, enjoys a premium reputation on international markets due to its superior quality. However, that advantage has not translated into better earnings for farmers.

Instead, declining global prices, driven by high-volume, mechanised production in regions such as North and West Africa, have eroded profitability for local growers.

“Cotton has seen a turbulent few years,” Professor Jiri said.

“We mainly grow open-pollinated varieties, which are low yielding, although they produce high-quality fibre. Unfortunately, when global production surges in mechanised markets, our farmers take a knock because our volumes are small.”

The mismatch between quality and competitiveness has left Zimbabwean farmers squeezed: producing premium cotton but earning diminishing returns.

Professor Jiri emphasised that long-term recovery will depend on improving productivity through better genetics and deeper industry participation. Strengthening contract farming models, expanding access to high-yield seed varieties, and promoting value addition within Zimbabwe are seen as critical levers.

Without these reforms, experts warn the sector risks continued decline.

Cotton remains a vital cash crop, underpinning rural economies in arid regions such as Gokwe, Sanyati, Mwenezi, Chiredzi and Checheche. For thousands of smallholder farmers in these areas, it is often the only viable source of income.

But persistent low prices, weak financing models, and limited industrial support have steadily eroded viability.