Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

The 7th Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Cotton Victoria Project is being held at Victoria Palace in Mwanza, Tanzania, from July 1-5, 2024. This South-South Cooperation project, designed and managed by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, aims to transfer knowledge to benefit the cotton sectors of Tanzania, Kenya, and Burundi.

The meeting includes the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), and institutions of partners from Burundi, Kenya, and Tanzania to exchange views, analyze results, and think of the prospects for increasing cotton productivity.

The meeting was opened by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Tanzania, Hon. David Ernest Silinde, and Felipe Garcia Gomes, Deputy Head of Mission representing the Brazilian Ambassador to Tanzania. "The cotton value chain employs more than 40% of the entire Tanzanian population, and about 70% of cotton is exported, leading to the generation of more than $120 million per year. Currently, the production of cotton in Tanzania ranges from 122,000 tons up to 370,000 tons depending on climate conditions."

Moreover, Dr. Thomas Bwana (The TARI Director-General) thanked the Government of Brazil through ABC for its support, which has enabled an increase in cotton productivity. Finally, he warmly welcomed the members of the meeting and urged them to be ready to exchange their experience in the field of cotton production during the Cotton Victoria Project implementation.