Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
IN a bid to bolster cotton production against the impacts of climate change, the Cotton Research Institute (CRI) has embarked on a project to promote genetically modified (GM) cotton seed varieties in Gokwe District.
Gokwe District is a major cotton-producing area, heavily reliant on cotton farming for agricultural income. The district, located in agro-ecological region three, receives an average annual rainfall of 600–650mm, making it suitable for rain-fed cotton cultivation.
Gokwe South, in particular, has been identified as a key zone where cotton farming is expected to bring significant economic benefits, with projections of over US$20 million worth of cotton being harvested in a single season.
The Second Republic has intensified the country’s cotton revival efforts, with the Presidential Input Scheme and research on genetically modified cotton varieties expected to play a central role.
In collaboration with local farmers, the CRI is spearheading this initiative, testing hybrid seeds that have shown promising results in semi-arid conditions. With climate change posing a significant threat to agricultural productivity, the GM cotton seed trials aim to develop varieties capable of thriving under challenging environmental conditions.
The trials involve testing new hybrid cotton seed varieties engineered for optimal performance in semi-arid areas. The CRI is working closely with local farmers in Gokwe to ensure the trials meet the region’s specific agricultural needs.
The project’s overarching goal is to develop cotton varieties resilient to climate change, thereby safeguarding the long-term viability of cotton production in Zimbabwe.
According to the CRI Director Mr Washington Mubvereki, the country is leaving nothing to chance in its quest to ensure the sustainability of cotton farming amid climate change. He noted that various cotton seed varieties are currently undergoing trials in Gokwe District.
He said genetically modified cotton has the potential to increase crop yields, reduce the need for pesticides, and enhance drought tolerance.
“As the Cotton Research Institute, we have partnered with local farmers in Gokwe to trial new hybrid cotton seed varieties that are showing promising results in semi-arid conditions,” he said.
If successful, Mr Mubvereki said, the GM cotton seed trials could revolutionise cotton production in the country, enabling farmers to increase yields, reduce costs, and improve their livelihoods.
“One good thing about cotton is that it performs well in semi-arid and arid regions. We have developed several hybrid varieties over the years, which are now undergoing market testing. Some of the varieties have shown yields averaging 3 000kg per hectare, and even up to 4 000kg,” he said.
Mr Mubvereki added that during ginnery testing, some varieties recorded lint yields as high as 40 percent.
“This proves why our local varieties are increasingly preferred across the SADC region and beyond,” he said.
He emphasised that the future of Zimbabwe’s cotton industry is promising, provided that farmers adopt best practices to maximise productivity and returns.
Mr Marvelous Nyoni, one of the participating farmers, expressed appreciation for the hands-on knowledge gained through the trials, noting a shift in mindset towards treating farming as a precise, knowledge-based business.
“Farming has its ups and downs, but it’s important to learn new things. I have realised how crucial correct crop spacing is and the importance of replanting in gaps where seeds fail to germinate,” he said.
“These small improvements help make the most out of a small piece of land.”
Another farmer, Ms Muchaneta Shoko, commended the CRI for its role in developing a breed that can resist or perform well under climate stress.
She noted that rainfall has been decreasing each year, thereby affecting cotton yields.
“This has been an eye-opening experience. I used to go straight into planting without soil testing. Now I understand the importance of preparing properly and using the right pesticides. With such training, we can truly benefit from farming,” she said.
