Malawi is losing out on an opportunity worth over $600 million due to its failure to manage the production of over 500,000 metric tons of cotton demanded by international markets such as India, Japan, Australia, and others.

Agriculture expert Tamani Nkhono Mvula has described the situation as a “golden opportunity” that could help the country earn much-needed foreign exchange and stimulate the growth of its agricultural sector. He urged the Cotton Council of Malawi to act swiftly and strategically to seize the opportunity.

“Malawi has the capacity to meet the demand,” Mvula emphasized. “The southern region and lake shore areas offer favorable weather conditions ideal for cotton production.”

In response, Cotton Council of Malawi spokesperson Priscila Jamali acknowledged the challenges that cotton farmers have faced, particularly limited access to certified seed. However, she noted that the Council has now launched seed multiplication initiatives to boost production.

“This year, around 29,000 farmers registered to grow cotton, and we have managed to produce about 20,000 metric tons from 27,000 hectares of land,” said Jamali. “The industry is growing, and we expect to do even better next season.”

Commenting on investment opportunities, Director of Mega Farms, Henry Msatilomo, said the high global demand presents a significant opportunity for Malawi to scale up its cotton production. He confirmed the Ministry’s readiness to support farmers but expressed concern over limited collaboration.

“We have not yet been approached by the Cotton Council to explore MEGA farm involvement, but our doors remain open,” Msatilomo said.

Domestically, Malawi requires over 300,000 metric tons of cotton for local textile manufacturing. To support the sector’s growth, this year marks the first implementation of the Cotton Management Information System (COTMIS), a digital platform aimed at improving production tracking and marketing as part of broader sector reforms.

(Written By: Winnie Luwembe)