Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIA is eyeing a recovery in cotton production to 300,000 tonnes in the 2026/27 season after output rose to 222,057 tonnes in 2025/26 from a record low of 149,361 tonnes a year earlier. The target will be achieved across 17 cotton-growing regions nationwide.
The projection was revealed in Mwanza by a Senior Agricultural Officer at the Tanzania Cotton Board, Renatus Luneja, during an exclusive interview with the Daily News on production trends and preparations for the upcoming season, expected to begin in July.
Mr Luneja said that while the new target marks an improvement, it remains below the earlier projection of 400,000 tonnes.
He attributed the shortfall to drought conditions between January and February, which significantly affected yields. “As a result, we produced 222,057 tonnes.
This year, we have set a target of 300,000 tonnes, partly due to delayed rainfall onset in the Lake Victoria Zone, which caused late planting,” he said. He noted that weather conditions have since improved, supporting crop development ahead of harvesting, expected to begin in May.
Mr Luneja described cotton as a strategic crop that has contributed between 400bn/- and 600bn/- to the national economy over the past five years, while providing livelihoods to about 40 per cent of Tanzanians and supplying raw materials to both domestic and international industries.
He said Simiyu Region is expected to lead production, contributing about 60 per cent of the total harvest. On farm inputs, he said 6.7 million pesticide packs have already been distributed, with preparations for the next season’s input supply set to begin in July.
He urged farmers to maintain cleanliness and quality during harvesting and to prepare for the next season by uprooting and burning crop residues to control pests and diseases. Mr Luneja also called on regional and district authorities to intensify farmer education and ensure adherence to international quality standards.
