KCA officials informed the delegation that Pakistan was already importing a considerable quantity of cotton from Tanzania. However, they expressed concern about the quality of Tanzanian cotton and the packaging of cotton bales. Additionally, they highlighted challenges related to traceability and sustainability, which local importers faced when sourcing raw cotton from Tanzania.
The Tanzania Cotton Board DG assured the KCA members that he would take up the matter with the government of Tanzania to resolve it in the best interest of Pakistani cotton importers.
He said Tanzania’s cotton production was largely driven by small farmers, with Shinyanga and Mwanza being the largest cotton-growing regions. On average, 400,000 acres are cultivated each year. Yields, however, are relatively lower than the global average.
The crop is primarily rain-fed and production is affected by weather conditions, farm-gate prices and the availability of inputs, extension services and new technologies. KCA VC Jahangir Moghul noted that following the peak harvest of 14.26 million bales in 2004-05, Pakistan’s cotton production gradually declined year after year. Hence, the local textile industry is compelled to import raw cotton to meet its rising requirement.