For instance, in the western cotton growing zone (Mwanza) growing season normally started from 15 December, and in eastern zone of Morogoro from end of January to mid-February, but due to climate changes, the seasons have changed
By Valentine Oforo
Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) at Ukiriguru has teamed up with the Tanzania Cotton Board (TCB) to conduct two key research to help cotton farmers against the effects of climate change facing the country’s vital commercial crop dubbed ‘white gold.’
The research focuses on enhancing production and productivity in the fibre crop sector amid effects of climate change, based on review of fertilizer recommendations in cotton, as well as review of cotton sowing calendar.
Dr. Paul Saidia, the Director of Mwanza – based TARI Ukiriguru Centre told this publication during an exclusive interview that severe effects of climate change that continues across the country was weakening production and productivity in the sector, hence a need to implement special strategy to curtail the challenge.
Dr. Saidia acknowledged that climate change has propelled major changes in the cotton growing season, together with application of fertilizer.
Dr. Saidia observed, “For instance, in the western cotton growing zone (Mwanza) growing season normally started from 15 December, and in eastern zone of Morogoro from end of January to mid-February, but due to climate changes, the seasons have changed, ”
He detailed research over review of cotton sowing calendar majors to determine which period of year will be the most proper season to start growing the fibre crop.
“Through the ongoing trials we’re working to determine the best growing season, between the earlier season, recommended timely season or the late season,” the TARI Ukiriguru Centre director informed.
Dwelling over review of fertilizer recommendations, he said the vision is to determine the best doze rate, being between the higher dose rate, middle and lower fertilizer dose rate.
“The purpose is to establish which fertilizer dose rate will enable the growers to realize high yields and productivity amid effects of climate change,” he expressed.
And he added, due to several effects of climate change high nutrient was required in cotton, saying the test was based on the NPK fertilizer.
Outcomes of the two researches, according to him, will be forwarded to the ministry of agriculture in order to be used as potential stick yard among the local cotton farmers.
Together with the two major initiatives, he said the state-owned research institute, TARI, at its Ukiriguru Centre was continuing imparting the cotton growers with the other recommended agronomic practices in order to improve production, including proper planning spaces, application of best seeds and pesticides management.
He said in Tanzania, the cotton farmers largely use the UKM08 seed variety which has been researched and produced by TARI.
” If well managed, the variety has the potential of producing at least 1200Kg per acre,” he briefed.
In further efforts to spur production of the crop, the parent ministry in cooperation with TCB has recently launched cotton cultivation in new regions where relevant research proves the fibre crop can flourish in abundance. The regions, among others include Dodoma, Singida and Morogoro.
To ensure the farmers in the new cotton growing regions are adopting cultivation of the crop professionally, TARI Ukiriguru Centre is planning to implement a special initiative to impart at least 30 agricultural extension officers in each new cotton growing region.
The move will be conducted through the Cotton Victoria Project (CVP), the US$5,802,019.08 worth initiative which operates under the joint venture between TARI -Ukiriguru Centre and the government of Brazil.
Through the project, the farmers have been introduced to new planting space of 60 centimeters from row to row, and 30 centimeters from hole to hole, bringing the number of the cotton plants to 44,444 per acre from the formal 22,222 plants, the vital system which has also adopted by the ministry of agriculture.
Cotton stands among the strategic economic cash crop in Tanzania, currently attracting a total of 500,000 who are cultivating at least 1,000,000 acres in different 17 regions across the country, including Geita, Tabora, Katavi, Shinyanga and Mwanza, among others.
Despite being endowed with the friendly agriecological zones to support cotton farming and fibre production, cotton production and productivity in Tanzania has for years been crippled with numerous setbacks in recent years, such as poor agronomic practices, pests and diseases, low quality seeds and lack of access to markets.
However, a recent report released by the Tanzania Cotton Board (TCB) production has improved to 280,000 tons in 2023, being from 130,000 and 170,000 tons in the two previous years respectively.
