A new generation of hybrid cotton seeds is giving Zimbabwean farmers fresh reason for optimism. Developed to deliver higher yields and withstand climate shocks and pests, the seeds are helping to boost productivity and improve livelihoods in farming communities.
For more than two decades, 56-year-old cotton farmer Aleck Bikostone has dedicated his life to cotton farming in Chinhoyi - the north-central capital of Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland West Province - despite market disturbances, climate change, and rising costs of input that threatened the crop.
Standing among cotton fields at a research farm in Kadoma along the road between Harare and Bulawayo, Bikostone tells the story of a cotton farming journey that has long hours of labour and perseverance despite global price fluctuations, which he describes as both a blessing and a challenge.
According to Stewart Mubonderi, the national chairman of the Cotton Producers and Marketers Association of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Government has supported up to 400,000 cotton farmers at the household level, although this has reduced to 350,000 in recent years. Once one of Africa's leading cotton producers, Zimbabwe saw seed cotton production fall from a record 350,703 tonnes in 2010/11 to around 28,000–29,000 tonnes in 2025. The industry may now be turning a corner: the Agricultural Marketing Authority projects output of about 38,500 tonnes in 2026, raising hopes of a gradual revival.
Despite these challenges, cotton remains an important source of cash income for many rural households, particularly in areas where few alternative crops can thrive. The sector is now at a crossroads, with government and industry efforts focused on improving farmer returns, increasing production, rebuilding value chains, and restoring cotton's role as a driver of rural economic development and industrial growth.
“Cotton farming runs in my blood. For me to be who I am, it's cotton production. I have managed to send my four children to school, all of whom have now graduated. It has not been easy though, at one point, the dwindling prices (from US$1,35 to a paltry US$0,35 cents per kilogram) had an impact on my family,” says Bikostone.
“Imagine having spent so much money on the crop, and in return, there is nothing tangible. However, as time passed, I adjusted. As I said, cotton farming is rooted in me. I soldiered on, and I still produce a better crop year in, year out. With the coming of the hybrid seeds, our future looks bright,” said Bikostone
This veteran farmer’s different tune is thanks to a new generation of hybrid cotton seeds now available on the market. Unlike traditional seed varieties, hybrid seeds are developed by crossing two parent plants to combine desirable traits such as higher yields, improved drought tolerance, stronger resistance to pests and diseases, and more consistent performance in the field. For farmers facing increasingly unpredictable weather and rising production costs, these improved seeds are offering the prospect of better harvests and higher incomes.
“I had been using the Open-Pollinated Varieties (OPV), but after being introduced to the hybrid seed varieties, the yield has improved, and the cost of production is conducive. At first, I hesitated, and later on I embraced it, and it worked wonders. With enough support and viable prices, many farmers will return to cotton production because it can significantly improve household incomes,” said Bikostone.
His experience with hybrid seeds is part of a transformation in Zimbabwe's cotton industry, where stakeholders are collaborating to restore the crop to its status as white gold.
Tapiwa Bhiri, a Chinhoyi-based cottonseed breeder, says he started breeding the seed in 2025 and is delighted to be part of the cottonseed evolution.
“I joined the cottonseed breeding program last year. Cottonseed breeding requires monitoring to guarantee quality. During breeding, we use the 50 metres by 15 lines layout, which helps in maintaining quality. Today, I am happy because cotton farming has provided income to support my family and other projects outside farming,” said Bhiri.
Bikostone is not the only one who is seeing value in the hybrid seed, Arnold Gwengo, another farmer also from Chinhoyi, shared the same sentiments.
“With hybrid seeds you will never go wrong. I started using the varieties a few years ago and, honestly speaking, the results have been encouraging. One thing that is encouraging is that the hybrid seeds are resistant to pests and diseases,” said Gwengo.
Nyasha Gandiwa, Head of Research at Quton Seed Company, a leading supplier of cotton seed in Zimbabwe, says improved genetics are central to efforts to revive the country's struggling cotton sector. The company operates seed breeding and agronomy programmes from Kadoma and Harare and has been developing new hybrid varieties designed to boost yields while helping farmers cope with climate and pest pressures.
