Once a thriving cash crop for Zimbabwe — the country was hit during British colonial rule — cotton has collapsed under economic turmoil, climate shocks, and decades of mismanagement. But some farmers and nonprofit groups are trying to revive it, one cut-section at a time.

Wed, 06 May 2026 04:29:53 +0000

**Once a Thriving Cash Crop for Zimbabwe — The Country Was Hit During British Colonial Rule, Cotton Collapsed Under Economic Turmoil, Climate Shocks, and Decades of Mismanagement. But Some Farmers and Nonprofits Are Trying to Revive It, One Cut-Section at a Time** In recent years, a quiet shift has caught attention in global agricultural circles: once a key cash crop for Zimbabwe, cotton has seen a steady decline over decades of systemic challenges. During British colonial rule, cotton was a cornerstone of the country’s rural economy—built on expansion, export demand, and intensive farming. Today, climate volatility, economic instability, and shifting policy landscapes have left the sector in steep decline. Yet, in the face of these pressures, new momentum is emerging. Farmers and nonprofit organizations across Zimbabwe are working to revive cotton production—not with weapons or exploitation, but through careful management, innovation, and community-driven restoration. This revival signals more than agriculture: it reflects a broader interest in sustainable rural development and alternative economic resilience. ### Why Once a Thriving Cash Crop for Zimbabwe — The Country Was Hit During British Colonial Rule — Cotton Collapsed Under Economic Turmoil, Climate Shocks, and Decades of Mismanagement. But Some Farmers and Nonprofits Are Trying to Revive It, One Cut-Section at a Time Cotton’s decline in Zimbabwe is no isolated story—it’s part of a global pattern where once-booming crops face steep setbacks due to complex pressures. Historically, Zimbabwe’s fertile lands supported large-scale cotton farming that supplied regional markets and foreign trade. But during colonial-era policies, land distribution and resource control prioritized export value over long-term sustainability. After independence, economic transitions, currency fluctuations, and aging infrastructure further strained production. Add extreme weather events, such as unpredictable rains and prolonged droughts worsened by climate change, and the outcome has been a slow erosion of viability. Decades of underinvestment in agricultural research, access to quality seeds, and farm equipment deepened vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, trade barriers, fluctuating cotton prices, and limited local processing capacity reduced the crop’s profitability. The result: cotton now occupies a fraction of its former footprint across Zimbabwe’s farmlands.