Cotton area has almost doubled in Zambia since the mid 1990's, but cotton yields have not increased. Yields are not only low; they also fluctuate dramatically from year to year. Cotton area started to grow in the late 1990s and, at the same time, thecountry managed to stabilize its yield performance. Currently, cotton yields in Zambia are close to the regional average, but they amount to only 1/3 of the world average. Most cotton in Zambia is grown under rainfed conditions, but a shortage of water or rain is not the main reason for the lower yields. Zambia cultivates varieties that have the inherent potential to provide greater yields without changing the existing production conditions.
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