The government of Tanzania aims to produce 100,000 tons of cotton from the Igunga District in the Tabora region in the mid-western part of the country.
The announcement was made by Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture Hon. Hussein Bashe, on 11th September 2024 during a working visit to the Igunga district when the Ministry provided 400 tractors, 1,000 motorcycles, and 2,500 bicycles along with 58 ox-carts and 3,000 organic fertilizer units to the district.
Addressing cotton farmers, Hon. Bashe stated: “We have appointed Igunga as a cotton seed production station […]. The aim is for Igunga district to produce 100,000 tons.”
He stressed that support for agriculture has been the mission of Tanzania’s President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan by providing free seeds, fertilizer subsidies, farming tools, and expertise to boost production.
Tanzania Cotton
Tanzania’s cotton production is in 17 regions, 59 councils, and 54 districts. The main regions include Simiyu, Mwanza, Tanga, Singida, Geita, Tabora, Mara, Kigoma, Katavi, and Kagera.
More than 90% of cotton from the Tabora region is produced in the Igunga district.
According to Minister Bashe’s budget speech for 2024/2025, Tanzania’s cotton production has reached 282,510 tons in 2023/2024 which is 80.7% of the target to produce 350,000 tons in the same year.
