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pesticide, would be great solutions to increase despite many favourable conditions for cotton
yields in Africa. production. Experts would agree that:
Why are cotton yields so low in Africa, and • the weather in Africa is highly suitable for
why have they been so stagnant over the past cotton, with good sunshine and rainfall;
30 to 35 years? These two questions lead to • the soils are as good as, and probably
many more questions. Are the soils infertile? better than, many other parts of the world
Is the weather unsuitable for cotton? Is there where cotton is grown;
inadequate water? Are there no technologies • new technologies have been developed in
for high yields? Is there a problem with Africa and reach many farms; and
technology transfer? Are farmers unable to • farmers are hardworking and apply
provide necessary inputs due to poverty? their best management skills for higher
Paradoxically, low yields in Africa persist production.

SADC cotton yields – kg cotton lint/ha

South Africa* Mozambique Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe
Large farmers 1 118** 562 416 444 648
Smallholder
farmers 291 162 222 208 209
*2017/18 Irrigation and dryland average
**All farmers

Volume 21 No 1 March 2019 | 19