Zimbabwe is intensifying efforts to revive its once-thriving cotton industry by exploring the potential of genetically modified (GM) cotton varieties, marking a strategic pivot towards biotechnology aimed at boosting productivity, enhancing pest resistance, and increasing farmer profitability.
Led by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development through the Cotton Research Institute, the initiative seeks to reposition cotton—popularly known as “white gold”—as a cornerstone of rural livelihoods and national economic growth. Cotton currently supports over 400,000 households in Zimbabwe, serving as a vital source of income and employment, while supplying essential raw materials to the textile and oil-processing industries.
In 2022, Zimbabwe exported raw cotton valued at US$147 million, ranking 16th among global exporters. Key markets included South Africa, Lesotho, Mauritius, Pakistan, and Indonesia. However, production has faced challenges in recent years due to climate change, declining yields, and pest infestations, prompting the country to explore sustainable scientific interventions.
In a significant move, Zimbabwe has commenced confined field trials of genetically modified cotton (Bt cotton) under rigorous regulatory oversight. These trials aim to evaluate the agronomic performance and pest resistance of Bt hybrids compared to conventional and locally available varieties. The trials are being conducted across five sites nationwide, ensuring a broad assessment of performance in different agro-ecological zones.
Dr. Dumisani Kutywayo, Chief Director for Agricultural Research, Innovation and Specialist Services, said the trials involve testing four genetically modified hybrids containing the Bollgard II gene, four non-Bt hybrids, and two local open-pollinated varieties (OPVs). The primary focus of the trials is to monitor natural pest occurrences—especially bollworms, which are among the most destructive pests for cotton crops.
Target pests include Helicoverpa armigera (cotton bollworm), Diparopsis castanea (red bollworm), Earias insulana (spiny bollworm), and Pectinophora gossypiella (pink bollworm). By tracking pest population dynamics and resulting locule damage—the breakdown of cotton boll chambers due to pest activity—researchers can determine the effectiveness of Bt genes in protecting crops without over-reliance on chemical pesticides.
Bt cotton trials followed carefully calibrated spraying protocols based on pest thresholds. Bt hybrids were only sprayed if five escapee larvae in the second instar stage were detected, thanks to their built-in resistance. In contrast, non-Bt varieties required more frequent spraying based on larval or egg counts per plant.
Preliminary findings are promising. Bt hybrids showed significantly stronger resistance to pests, recording roughly twice the resistance of OPVs and three times that of non-Bt hybrids. Locule damage in Bt cotton was also lowest at 19.9%, compared to 39.55% for non-Bt hybrids and 40.55% for open-pollinated varieties.
While these results suggest a potential breakthrough, Dr. Kutywayo stressed that further evaluation is necessary. “These are still early results, and more data is needed before we can assess the full impact on yield and production costs. In the interim, no firm conclusions can be drawn from the trial results,” he cautioned.
If the performance of Bt cotton remains consistent in subsequent trials, it could be a game-changer for the country’s cotton sector. Farmers may benefit from increased yields, reduced input costs from fewer pesticide applications, and greater income stability. Such outcomes would be particularly transformative for rural communities that depend on cotton as a livelihood.
Zimbabwe’s cotton revival strategy aligns with its wider national agenda to modernise agriculture, improve rural economies, and enhance food and fibre security through science-based innovation. As climate pressures and market uncertainties continue to affect traditional farming systems, the country’s pivot to biotechnology could provide the resilience needed to future-proof its agricultural sector.
With proper regulation, farmer education, and continued research, Zimbabwe’s cotton sector may soon find renewed strength in a technology-driven future—reclaiming its status as a leader in African cotton production.
