The Cotton Council of Malawi has expressed optimism that the cotton sector will play a key role in driving industrialization and economic growth in Malawi.

Executive Director of the council, Apatsa Selemani, said this on Monday during the official opening of the 2025/2026 cotton marketing season, which will run for 90 days until August 27, 2026.

Speaking to YFM after the event, council spokesperson Prisca Jamali said at least 13,599 hectares were cultivated under cotton production this season, with the country expected to produce about 22,894 metric tonnes of cotton.

Jamali also said the council has developed a new strategy aimed at increasing production to 50,000 metric tonnes in the coming seasons.

Deputy Director of Crops in the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for field crops, Osborne Tsoka, said Malawi has the potential to significantly increase cotton production if current interventions are sustained.

Tsoka further urged buyers to adhere to the government-set minimum farmgate price of K1,500 per kilogram.