Africa-Press – Eswatini. The cotton industry experienced a setback in the 2022/23 farming season, with a significant drop in both the number of participating farmers and the area dedicated to cotton production.
The number of farmers engaged in cotton cultivation dropped by over 50 per cent, from 917 in the previous season to just 438 in the year under review, according to the Eswatini Cotton Board’s financial report for the 2022/2023 season.
It notes that the area designated for cotton production mirrored the decline in farmer participation, shrinking from 1 200 hectares in 2021/22 to 547 hectares in 2022/23.
Production on the other hand is reported to have decreased to 503 metric tons down from 920metric tons of the previous season.
Despite a decrease in the area dedicated to cotton production and the number of participating farmers, the 2022 season saw a positive development with an increase in overall seed cotton output. It is reported that seed cotton production jumped to 920 metric tonnes, an improvement compared to the previous season’s 417 metric tonnes.
While the Lubombo region reportedly maintained its dominance, contributing the highest share of national production at 69.13 per cent, its total output decreased compared to previous years. Shiselweni is reported to have experienced a similar trend, contributing 28.91 per cent. Manzini and Hhohho contributed smaller shares at 1.2 per cent and 0.76 per cent respectively.
According to the board, when analysing yield per hectare, Manzini led the pack with the highest average at 846 kg/ha, followed by Hhohho (778 kg/ha), Shiselweni (767 kg/ha), and Lubombo (765 kg/ha).
The national average yield was reported to have reached 787 kg/ha, exceeding the previous year’s 662 kg/ha and nearly approaching the global average of 771 kg/ha.
While production increased, the report highlights that the area dedicated to cotton cultivation dropped with Lubombo remaining the leader with 831 hectares, followed by Shiselweni (347 hectares), Manzini (13 hectares), and Hhohho (9 hectares).
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
