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Organization and Performance of Cotton Sectors in Africa ... - infoDev

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cropp<strong>in</strong>g season, seed cotton yields ranged from 810 kg/ha <strong>in</strong> the south to1,318 kg/ha <strong>in</strong> the north, primarily as a result <strong>of</strong> the <strong>in</strong>troduction <strong>of</strong> a moreproductive variety <strong>in</strong> the north. Spatial factors l<strong>in</strong>ked to climatic <strong>and</strong> soilconditions also contribute to large differences <strong>in</strong> yields between southern <strong>and</strong>northern Cameroon (670 kg/ha <strong>and</strong> 1,500 kg/ha, respectively). In both regions<strong>of</strong> the country, yields decl<strong>in</strong>ed follow<strong>in</strong>g the reduction <strong>of</strong> fertilizer subsidies.The role <strong>of</strong> socioeconomic differentiation can be illustrated by Mali, wherefarm yields <strong>in</strong> 2002/03 ranged from 1,090 kg/ha with manual cultivation to1,259 kg/ha for farms equipped with their own animal traction.Figure 10.3 illustrates differences <strong>in</strong> cotton yields (l<strong>in</strong>t equivalent) amongthe major ESA cotton producers, based on a 20-year average. ESA countryaverages are well below world <strong>and</strong> WCA levels, <strong>and</strong> vary by a factor <strong>of</strong> morethan two between Mozambique (lowest) Zimbabwe (highest). Most cottonsectors <strong>in</strong> ESA are based on a low <strong>in</strong>put–low output system. For example, outsideZimbabwe virtually no fertilizer is applied by ESA cotton farmers, whobenefit from better soils than farmers <strong>in</strong> WCA. Countries <strong>in</strong> ESA generallyshow greater <strong>in</strong>ter-annual yield variability from climatic events than countries<strong>in</strong> WCA.The steady yield improvement <strong>in</strong> ESA is due to improved varieties <strong>and</strong>, <strong>in</strong>some countries, improved <strong>in</strong>put use. Zambia has shown a steady (but slow)upward yield trend s<strong>in</strong>ce liberalization; the <strong>in</strong>put distribution <strong>and</strong> extensionefforts <strong>of</strong> the two dom<strong>in</strong>ant companies are the ma<strong>in</strong> reasons. However, ESAhas not seen rapid <strong>in</strong>creases <strong>in</strong> productivity like those <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a, India, <strong>and</strong> Pakistan,where genetically modified cotton varieties were <strong>in</strong>troduced.Figure 10.3 Average Yields <strong>of</strong> Ra<strong>in</strong>fed <strong>Cotton</strong> <strong>in</strong> ESA Countries, WCA,<strong>and</strong> World, 1994/95–2003/04700600yields <strong>of</strong> l<strong>in</strong>t (kg/hectare)5004003002001000Mozambique Tanzania Ug<strong>and</strong>a Zambia ZimbabweSource: International <strong>Cotton</strong> Advisory Committee.Note: ESA = East <strong>and</strong> Southern <strong>Africa</strong>; WCA = West <strong>and</strong> Central <strong>Africa</strong>.WCAWorld120 POULTON, LABASTE, AND BOUGHTON

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