MBEYA: IN Mbeya Region, cotton farming has been banned among the Southern Highlands due to the threat of the highly destructive red bollworm.
Since the bollworm scare was discovered in the 1940s, there was no new attempt to grow the crop in the regions of Southern Tanzania and the ban has remained intact for over 8 decades.
It’s intriguing to see no cotton farms in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania where major cash and food crops are grown. Cotton has been strictly banned in these regions for over 80 years now.
A tiny, but highly destructive pest called the red bollworm that wrecks the havoc. Their presence threatens not only local agriculture but also the entire cotton industry in Tanzania.
For years, the red bollworm has devastated cotton farms by burrowing into cotton bolls and feeding on the plant from within.
Unlike other pests that can be managed with regular pesticides, this insect is particularly difficult and costly to control, requiring repeated chemical applications that pose risks to both farmers and the environment.
To prevent further spread and safeguard the nation’s cotton production zones in the Western and Eastern regions, the government imposed a ban on cotton cultivation in the Southern Highlands, covering regions such as Mtwara, Lindi, Ruvuma, Njombe, Songwe, Rukwa, and Mbeya.
According to Dr Abdullah Mkiga, a leading entomologist at the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), the red bollworm primarily feeds on cotton flowers, squares, and bolls, significantly reducing yields.
“Once the larvae penetrate the cotton bolls, it becomes nearly impossible to control them with pesticides. Studies have shown that combating this pest requires multiple pesticide applications, which not only increase production costs but also pose health and environmental risks while affecting the international market,” explains Dr Mkiga.
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Historical records indicate that the red bollworm entered Tanzania from Mozambique in the 1940s when cotton farming expanded northward.
Since then, the pest has found a habitat in wild cotton plants in the Southern Highlands, making complete eradication difficult.
However, due to economic activities and population movements in these regions, there has been growing interest among local farmers to cultivate cotton despite the restriction.
To address farmers’ concerns and explore alternative crops, researchers from TARI,’s Ukiriguru and Uyole centres, alongside government officials and agricultural stakeholders, recently conducted a field tour in Mbeya.
Their objective was to educate local leaders on the rationale behind the ban and promote substitute cash crops such as sunflower, sesame, rice, maize, and groundnuts which are mostly cultivated in the regions.
Dr Paul Saidia, the TARI’s Director at Ukiriguru Center and the national coordinator for cotton research emphasised that leaders play a crucial role in disseminating this knowledge.
“We believe that by equipping local leaders with the right information, they can effectively educate farmers and guide them toward profitable alternative crops,” he stated.
Meanwhile, ongoing research is being conducted to better understand the red bollworm’s biology and its response to climate change.
The findings will determine whether the ban should remain in place indefinitely or if new pest control strategies could eventually allow cotton farming to resume in the region.
On his part, Dr Dennis Tippe, TARI Uyole Centre’s Director, assured that the institute will provide full support in awareness campaigns and research through the Technology Transfer and Research departments.
Despite initial resistance, local authorities and farmers are beginning to recognise the necessity of the ban.
Mbeya Regional CCM Secretary, Mr Lengaeli Akyoo, voiced a support for continued education efforts, stating: “We must ensure that farmers are fully informed of the risks. Using excessive chemical pesticides without proper precautions could harm their health and the environment. We also need a structured plan for promoting alternative crops.”
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Mbarali District Commissioner, Colonel Surumbu, echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of close collaboration between extension officers and farmers.
“As we wait for expert recommendations, our agricultural officers must work closely with farmers from the planting season to harvest. This will help maximize yields from alternative crops and ensure that no farmer is left behind,” he said.
On his part, Christopher Mchaphu, a former cotton farmer and current Ward Councillor for Kambikatoto in Chunya District, shared his personal experience.
“I was among the farmers affected by the ban. At first, I didn’t understand why it was necessary, but now I see the bigger picture. I only ask that we get more support in adopting alternative crops, including better farming techniques and access to markets,” he explained.
The government, through the Tanzania Cotton Board (TCB) and TARI, is committed to providing ongoing support to affected farmers, ensuring they have access to training, seeds, and markets for alternative crops.
Until scientific research provides a clear path forward, the Southern Highlands will remain under cotton farming restrictions to protect both farmers and the national cotton industry.
As discussions continue, one thing is clear: the fight against the red bollworm is not just about controlling a pest; it’s about securing the future of Tanzania’s cotton sector and safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods.
