Eastern Uganda Rallies to Revive Fading "White Gold" Cotton Industry

Cotton, long hailed as eastern Uganda’s “white gold,” is facing a severe downturn, with production in the region plummeting by approximately 40% over the last decade. Districts like Mbale, Bukedea, Pallisa, and Kumi, once characterized by sprawling cotton fields, are now seeing farmers shift their focus to food crops and other cash alternatives.

This decline has spurred a renewed push to revitalize the sector. Afric Co-operative Society Ltd is spearheading initiatives to re-engage farmers and re-establish cotton cultivation. Stakeholders emphasize that a revived cotton industry could significantly contribute to agro-industrialization, create much-needed jobs, and alleviate poverty in eastern Uganda.

Farmers currently receive around Shs1,200 per kilogram, a price deemed insufficient given the high costs associated with seed, land preparation, chemicals, labor, harvesting, and transportation. However, international buyers like EMKAT S.A. suggest that well-positioned cotton could fetch up to Shs4,000 per kilogram in global markets. Support from the government is seen as crucial for private sector-led efforts to rebuild the industry.

Past successes, like that of Modesta Okurut from Bukedea District, highlight cotton’s historical importance in enabling farmers to acquire land and fund education. Yet, current challenges persist, including unfair practices by middlemen regarding weighing scales, delayed payments from cooperatives, unpredictable rainfall, declining yields, poor seed quality, pests, infertile soils, and inadequate road infrastructure.

Many farmers, like Josephine Atalo, have reduced their cotton acreage, opting for more profitable crops such as cassava, maize, and sunflower. MPs are calling for increased government funding and prioritization of the cotton industry, while farmers advocate for investments in irrigation to mitigate the impact of erratic weather patterns. Improving quality from the farm level through better seeds and practices is also seen as essential for recovery.

https://www.monitor.ug/uganda/news/national/eastern-uganda-moves-to-revive-cotton-farming-5582050