Cotton is one of Uganda’s three major traditional crops. The cotton value chain employs several actors including farmers, traders and ginners. Their primary products and by-products are input into various industries namely; cottonseed millers (husks, cake and soap makers), cotton wool manufacturers and textile manufacturers. In general, the lint value chain is more developed than that for by-products.
Cotton production increased by 36 percent from 50,709 bales of lint in FY2020/21 to 68,913 bales in FY2021/22. This has so far contributed Ushs 86 billion to household incomes and US$ 32 million in lint exports.
Following engagements from the Town Hall Barazas, Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) established several impediments undermining production and productivity along these value chains thus hindering youth and women employment in the sector.