CHADEMA
JF-Expert Member
- Apr 13, 2013
- 488
- 2,468
By Chadema Media
GEITA. Cotton, once a significant economic driver for Geita region, has experienced a sharp decrease in production and profitability. Several factors have contributed to this decline.
The decline of the cotton industry in the region has been a concerning issue, with the reports indicating that the crop was previously sold for more than 2,040 Tanzanian Shillings per kilogram before dropping to the current price of TZS 1,060.
This fluctuation in cotton prices has made it difficult for local cotton farmers and businesses in Geita to plan and maintain consistent profits. In addition to the low prices, llimited access to modern agricultural technologies have resulted in decreased yields and quality of cotton produced in the region. Additionally, there have been challenges related to pests and diseases that affect cotton plants.
Speaking about the decline in cotton industry in the region, the national chairman of the main opposition political party _ CHADEMA Mr Freeman Mbowe slammed the govermnment over failure to providing farmers with improved access to pest control methods, modern farming techniques, and market information.
"The decline in cotton business has led the majority of cotton farmers and traders to abandon the business and invest their efforts in other economic activities," said the oppposition leader while addressing a public meeting in Geita on Monday August 7, 2023.
He further noted that the reason for this decline is the existence of government officials who have monopolized the cotton market and seized the authority to set low prices, exploiting the farmers.
Furthermore, due to the lack of inputs and modern farming tools, the reports further indicate that the cotton farmers in the Geita region and other areas have been harvesting an average of 200 kilograms per acre, while in countries with modern cotton farming, such as Brazil, a farmer can yield up to 3,000 kilograms of cotton per acre, a productivity level more than ten times that of Tanzania.
Ends-
GEITA. Cotton, once a significant economic driver for Geita region, has experienced a sharp decrease in production and profitability. Several factors have contributed to this decline.
The decline of the cotton industry in the region has been a concerning issue, with the reports indicating that the crop was previously sold for more than 2,040 Tanzanian Shillings per kilogram before dropping to the current price of TZS 1,060.
This fluctuation in cotton prices has made it difficult for local cotton farmers and businesses in Geita to plan and maintain consistent profits. In addition to the low prices, llimited access to modern agricultural technologies have resulted in decreased yields and quality of cotton produced in the region. Additionally, there have been challenges related to pests and diseases that affect cotton plants.
Speaking about the decline in cotton industry in the region, the national chairman of the main opposition political party _ CHADEMA Mr Freeman Mbowe slammed the govermnment over failure to providing farmers with improved access to pest control methods, modern farming techniques, and market information.
"The decline in cotton business has led the majority of cotton farmers and traders to abandon the business and invest their efforts in other economic activities," said the oppposition leader while addressing a public meeting in Geita on Monday August 7, 2023.
He further noted that the reason for this decline is the existence of government officials who have monopolized the cotton market and seized the authority to set low prices, exploiting the farmers.
Furthermore, due to the lack of inputs and modern farming tools, the reports further indicate that the cotton farmers in the Geita region and other areas have been harvesting an average of 200 kilograms per acre, while in countries with modern cotton farming, such as Brazil, a farmer can yield up to 3,000 kilograms of cotton per acre, a productivity level more than ten times that of Tanzania.
Ends-
