A little more than two decades ago, cotton was among Zambia’s most lucrative cash crops, particularly in Central, Eastern, and Southern provinces. For many farmers, it was a dependable source of income. However, falling prices, dictated by buyers, and the labour-intensive nature of cotton cultivation have driven many to abandon the crop in favour of maize and soybeans.
In Ngwezi settlement in Magoye, Mazabuka District, the decline is especially noticeable. During the 2025 Cotton Field Day held at the Cotton Development Trust (CDT) in Magoye, Fred Mooya, speaking on behalf of Chief Hanjalika, expressed concern about how cotton’s decline has contributed to rising poverty levels in the area. Mooya explained that Ngwezi was once a hub of cotton farming but now faces a dramatic drop in production. He blamed unfavourable pricing structures and weak policies, which have stripped cotton of its economic appeal for local farmers.
According to Mooya, many farmers have switched to growing maize, which is less labour-intensive and offers better financial returns. He noted that the cost-benefit imbalance is discouraging: cotton requires significant effort, but the returns are minimal. Unlike cotton, maize prices are considered more stable and profitable, especially with market access through the Food Reserve Agency.
Nationally, cotton remains Zambia’s second most important crop after maize, supporting over 300,000 farming households. But despite suitable climatic conditions and strong participation, the industry is bogged down by persistent structural challenges. These include low productivity, outdated farming equipment, weak extension support, and uncompetitive pricing. These factors have steadily eroded farmer confidence and profitability in the sector.
A new sense of optimism is, however, being fuelled by a landmark initiative known as the Strengthening of the Cotton Value Chain in Zambia project. The three-year partnership between Zambia and Brazil, operating under a South-South cooperation framework, seeks to revitalise the industry by drawing from Brazil’s deep experience in cotton production. Brazil has previously led successful interventions in countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali under the Cotton-4 initiative.
The project is now being rolled out at CDT in Magoye, with the establishment of a Technical Demonstration Unit (TDU) that serves as the core hub for training and research. It is being implemented by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (BCA) in collaboration with EPAMIG and EMATER-MG. These institutions are bringing technical knowledge, tools, and proven methodologies to help improve cotton productivity in Zambia.
Melissa Popoff Scheidemantel, a project analyst from BCA, said the programme includes extensive capacity building. Farmers, researchers, and extension officers will benefit from training, field demonstrations, and cross-country exchanges. She confirmed that Zambian researchers have already visited Brazil, and a follow-up technical visit to Kenya has taken place as part of a broader regional cotton improvement programme involving 15 African countries. Among the key training areas is pesticide application and integrated pest management, which are vital to enhancing productivity.
Martin Simasiku, a cotton breeder at CDT, added that the project also involves local adaptation of Brazilian cotton planting techniques. The expected impact includes better yields, improved fibre quality, stronger farmer organisations, and the operationalisation of demonstration plots tailored to Zambia’s agricultural realities.
Meanwhile, Zambia is complementing these technical efforts with key policy and legal reforms. Raymond Mpundu, Chief Executive Officer of the Cotton Board of Zambia (CBZ), announced that the outdated 2005 Cotton Act is being repealed. The new legislation will empower the CBZ to set cotton prices, protecting farmers from exploitative pricing practices. Mpundu added that farmers will also receive minimum production packages to ensure they operate profitably and sustainably.
While challenges remain, the combined force of international cooperation, legal reform, and technical innovation offers a promising path forward for Zambia’s cotton industry. With continued support and commitment, cotton could once again become a vital economic pillar for rural communities across the country.