Cotton farming can provide a valuable source of income when it is properly planned and managed. However, cotton is not a crop that should simply be planted and left until harvest. Successful cotton production begins with proper field selection, quality seed, timely planting, correct spacing, balanced plant nutrition, timely weed control, regular pest and disease scouting, and proper harvesting and post-harvest handling.

At CHETU AGROSOLUTION, we encourage farmers to treat cotton farming as a business. Before planting, you should know:

• How much land will you cultivate?

• Which cotton variety is suitable for your area?

• When does the rainy season normally begin?

• What is the condition of your soil?

• How much fertilizer will you need?

• How will you control weeds?

• How will you protect the crop from pests and diseases?

• When will harvesting begin?

• Where and how will you sell your cotton?

TARI continues to promote improved cotton production technologies in Tanzania, including 60 cm × 30 cm spacing, timely planting, proper pesticide use and timely weed management. TARI has reported significant productivity improvements among farmers who adopted these practices in some areas. These results should be viewed as evidence of the value of good agronomic management, not as a guaranteed yield for every farm.

1. START BY SELECTING THE RIGHT LAND FOR COTTON

Cotton performs best in land with:

• Good soil fertility.

• Good drainage.

• Adequate moisture during crop development.

• Good sunlight.

• No prolonged waterlogging.

• Good accessibility for planting, weeding, spraying and harvesting.

Avoid waterlogged fields

Standing water for long periods can damage the root system and increase the risk of root-related problems.

If your field has drainage problems, we recommend improving drainage before planting.

2. TEST YOUR SOIL BEFORE PLANNING FERTILIZER

This is one of the steps many farmers overlook.

Before deciding whether to use Urea, DAP, NPK, CAN or another fertilizer, we recommend conducting a soil test.

A soil test can help determine:

• Soil pH.

• Nitrogen (N).

• Phosphorus (P).

• Potassium (K).

• Organic matter.

• Calcium.

• Magnesium.

• Micronutrients.

• Other soil limitations.

TARI emphasizes the importance of soil and nutrient analysis in improving soil fertility and agricultural productivity.

In general

Cotton performs well in well-drained soils, with suitable soil pH commonly around the slightly acidic to neutral range. However, your own soil test should guide the final fertilizer and soil-management recommendations.

At CHETU AGROSOLUTION, we encourage farmers not to guess fertilizer requirements.

3. CHOOSE QUALITY COTTON SEED

Do not choose seed simply because it is cheap.

We recommend using:

• Quality seed.

• Certified or officially approved seed.

• Seed suitable for your production area.

• Seed appropriate for the growing season.

• Varieties recommended for your local cotton-production system.

TARI continues to conduct research on improved cotton varieties and production technologies designed to increase productivity and quality.

4. HOW MUCH SEED IS REQUIRED PER ACRE?

Seed requirements depend on:

• Variety.

• Seed preparation.

• Germination percentage.

• Plant spacing.

• Target plant population.

• Planting method.

A commonly cited Tanzania cotton production guide gives approximately:

17–25 kg of seed per hectare

This is equivalent to approximately:

7–10 kg of seed per acre

However, farmers should always check the specific seed type and supplier recommendations before purchasing.

Do not determine your seed requirement based on kilograms alone. Consider the expected germination rate and the planting system.

5. FIELD PREPARATION

Begin preparing the field early, before the rainy season is fully established.

Steps:

1. Remove problematic weeds.

2. Manage previous crop residues appropriately.

3. Plough the field according to soil conditions.

4. Break large soil clods.

5. Level the field where necessary.

6. Improve drainage where required.

7. Apply well-decomposed manure or compost if needed.

Do not burn crop residues unnecessarily. Properly managed organic residues can contribute to soil organic matter and improve soil health.

6. FARMYARD MANURE OR COMPOST

If using manure, make sure it is well decomposed.

An indicative range from commonly cited cotton production guidance is approximately:

8–12 tonnes of manure per hectare

Equivalent to approximately:

3.2–4.9 tonnes per acre

However, the actual amount should depend on:

• Manure quality.

• Soil fertility.

• Organic matter.

• Soil-test results.

• Previous cropping history.

Do not treat 3.2–4.9 tonnes per acre as a mandatory rate for every field because manure nutrient concentrations vary considerably.

7. COTTON PLANTING SPACING

One of the important technologies we emphasize is:

60 cm × 30 cm

This means:

• 60 cm between rows

• 30 cm between plants within the row

TARI has promoted this spacing in cotton-producing areas, with reported productivity improvements among farmers who adopted it together with other good agronomic practices.

Theoretical plant population

One acre contains approximately:

4,047 m²

With spacing of:

0.60 m × 0.30 m = 0.18 m² per plant

Therefore:

4,047 ÷ 0.18 ≈ 22,483 planting positions per acre

This is a theoretical calculation. Actual plant population will depend on:

• Field layout.

• Border spaces.

• Pathways.

• Germination.

• Missing plants.

• The actual planting system.

8. WHEN SHOULD COTTON BE PLANTED?

Planting time varies according to the cotton-producing area and the onset of reliable rainfall.

We recommend:

Do not plant too early before the soil has adequate moisture.

At the same time:

Do not delay planting after reliable rainfall has established the season.

Cotton needs sufficient moisture for germination and early root establishment.

TARI has specifically emphasized timely planting as one of the practices associated with improved cotton productivity.

Farmers should therefore monitor:

• Rainfall.

• Soil moisture.

• Local extension recommendations.

• The cotton-production calendar for their area.

9. HOW TO PLANT COTTON

Once the field is ready:

1. Mark rows at 60 cm intervals.

2. Mark planting positions at 30 cm intervals.

3. Make suitable planting holes or planting points.

4. Plant seed into adequate soil moisture.

5. Cover the seed with an appropriate amount of soil.

6. Avoid planting too deeply.

7. Ensure adequate moisture for germination.

Important

Do not plant into very dry soil while expecting rainfall that may take a long time to arrive.

10. THINNING AFTER GERMINATION

After cotton emerges, inspect the field for:

• Missing plants.

• Two or more plants growing in one position.

• Weak plants.

• Pest-damaged plants.

• Diseased plants.

Where the planting system requires one healthy plant per position, thin excess seedlings at the appropriate stage.

The goal

Maintain a uniform and healthy plant stand.

Too many plants in one position create competition for:

• Water.

• Nutrients.

• Light.

• Space.

11. FILLING MISSING PLANTING POSITIONS

After emergence, identify gaps in the field.

Where the crop age and field conditions still allow it, fill missing positions at the appropriate time.

Do not wait too long because replacement plants may remain significantly behind the rest of the crop.

12. COTTON FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT: DO NOT FOCUS ONLY ON THE PRODUCT NAME

Farmer, we want to emphasize an important principle:

What matters is not only the number of kilograms of fertilizer applied, but the actual amount of nutrients supplied and required by the crop and soil.

Important nutrients for cotton include:

• Nitrogen (N)

• Phosphorus (P)

• Potassium (K)

• Sulphur (S)

• Calcium (Ca)

• Magnesium (Mg)

• Boron (B)

• Zinc (Zn)

The actual requirement varies according to soil conditions and production targets.

13. INDICATIVE NUTRIENT RANGES

Different production guides and research programs use different fertilizer recommendations depending on soil type, environment and yield target.

Indicative blanket recommendations cited for cotton production in East Africa have included approximately:

• N: 20–60 kg/ha

• P: 15–30 kg/ha

• K: 30–40 kg/ha

These are general reference ranges and not a fertilizer prescription for every Tanzanian farm. Soil-test results should take priority. Research in Tanzania also highlights the need to account for differences among cotton-growing soils and environments.

14. EXAMPLE OF NITROGEN CALCULATION PER ACRE

One commonly cited cotton production guide gives approximately:

65 kg N/ha

This is approximately:

26 kg actual N per acre

Remember:

26 kg N does NOT mean 26 kg of Urea.

If using Urea containing:

46% N

The calculation is:

26 ÷ 0.46 = approximately 56.5 kg Urea per acre

Therefore, as a mathematical example:

Approximately 56–57 kg Urea per acre = 26 kg actual N

However, we do not recommend applying this amount automatically to every acre. The actual rate should be determined by soil condition, previous crop, fertilizer program, crop performance and local agronomic recommendations.

15. HOW TO SPLIT NITROGEN APPLICATIONS

Avoid applying all nitrogen at one time.

Under a split-application approach, nitrogen can be divided into stages according to crop development.

For example, if the total planned amount is:

56 kg Urea per acre

It could mathematically be divided into two equal applications:

First application — 50%

Approximately:

28 kg Urea per acre

Second application — 50%

Approximately:

28 kg Urea per acre

Some cotton production guidance recommends top-dressing nitrogen in two stages, around six weeks after emergence and approximately one month later. The exact timing should be adjusted according to crop development and local recommendations.

16. PHOSPHORUS

Phosphorus is important for:

• Root development.

• Early crop establishment.

• Early plant growth.

• Branch development.

• Overall crop development.

One commonly cited cotton production guide gives approximately:

23 kg P₂O₅/ha

Equivalent to about:

9.3 kg P₂O₅ per acre

This is a reference example, not a universal recommendation.

Example using DAP

DAP is commonly formulated as:

18-46-0

Therefore, 100 kg of DAP contains approximately:

• 18 kg N

• 46 kg P₂O₅

• 0 kg K₂O

If a field actually required 9.3 kg P₂O₅:

9.3 ÷ 0.46 = approximately 20.2 kg DAP per acre

But if your soil test shows adequate or high phosphorus, you may require much less phosphorus or none at all.

17. POTASSIUM

Potassium contributes to:

• Water regulation within the plant.

• Plant strength.

• Reproductive development.

• Nutrient-use efficiency.

• Overall crop performance.

Potassium requirements should preferably be guided by soil testing.

Do not apply large amounts of potassium simply because it is commonly used in cotton.

18. EXAMPLE FERTILIZER PROGRAM FOR ONE ACRE

Before planting

Well-decomposed manure/compost:
Approximately 3.2–4.9 tonnes per acre where needed, based on the broader 8–12 t/ha reference range.

Phosphorus:
Apply according to soil-test results.

After establishment

Nitrogen:
Begin top-dressing after plants are properly established.

Around six weeks after emergence

Apply the planned portion of nitrogen where required.

Approximately one month later

Apply the remaining portion where crop condition and the fertilizer plan indicate a need.

This is a management framework, not a mandatory formula for every acre.

19. HOW TO APPLY FERTILIZER CORRECTLY

Do not place Urea or other concentrated fertilizer directly against the plant stem.

Place fertilizer at an appropriate distance from the plant and incorporate it into the soil where appropriate.

Avoid:

• Fertilizer touching the stem.

• Applying concentrated fertilizer into extremely dry soil without adequate moisture.

• Placing large amounts in one spot.

• Mixing fertilizers without checking compatibility.

• Applying fertilizer without understanding its formulation.

20. FIRST WEED CONTROL

Weeds are among the major challenges in cotton production.

Weeds compete with cotton for:

• Water.

• Nitrogen.

• Phosphorus.

• Potassium.

• Light.

• Space.

TARI has emphasized timely weed control as one of the practices associated with improved cotton productivity.

Our recommendation:

Do not wait until weeds become large and difficult to control.

Begin weed management early.

21. WEEDING SCHEDULE

First weeding

Control weeds early, before they compete strongly with cotton.

Second weeding

Repeat when new weeds emerge.

Third weeding

Carry out where necessary depending on field conditions.

The number of weeding operations depends on:

• Soil type.

• Rainfall.

• Weed species.

• Production system.

• Effectiveness of earlier weed control.

22. USING HERBICIDES

If you use herbicides:

1. Identify the weeds present.

2. Select a product registered for the intended use.

3. Read the product label.

4. Use the recommended rate.

5. Wear appropriate PPE.

6. Avoid contact with non-target cotton plants.

7. Follow the permitted crop growth stage.

8. Do not mix products unless compatibility and label directions support the mixture.

Important

Do not use a herbicide simply because your neighbor used it.

Weed species, crop stage and field conditions may be different.

23. IMPORTANT COTTON PESTS

Cotton can be attacked by various insect pests, including:

1. Aphids

They feed on plant sap and can affect young plant tissues.

2. Whiteflies

They can weaken plants and may be associated with the transmission of some viral diseases.

3. Thrips

They can damage young plant tissues and affect crop development.

4. Bollworms

These are particularly important because they can attack flowers and cotton bolls.

5. Cotton stainers

They can damage developing bolls and seeds.

6. Cutworms

They can cut young seedlings near the soil surface.

24. DO NOT SPRAY WITHOUT SCOUTING

We strongly emphasize:

Do not see one insect and immediately spray the entire field without scouting.

Walk through your field.

Inspect:

• Upper leaves.

• Lower leaves.

• Growing points.

• Flowers.

• Bolls.

• Stems.

• Lower parts of plants.

Look for:

• Pest numbers.

• Damage symptoms.

• Eggs.

• Larvae.

• Adult insects.

• Disease symptoms.

25. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT — IPM

We recommend Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

This includes:

• Quality seed.

• Timely planting.

• Correct spacing.

• Field sanitation.

• Weed control.

• Regular scouting.

• Using pesticides when necessary.

• Rotating modes of action where appropriate.

• Conserving beneficial organisms where possible.

• Avoiding unnecessary pesticide applications.

TARI also promotes IPM and environmentally friendly approaches to pest and disease management.

26. COTTON DISEASES

Farmers should watch for symptoms such as:

• Wilting.

• Leaf spots.

• Root rot.

• Stem rot.

• Leaf discoloration.

• Stunted growth.

• Damaged or rotting bolls.

Possible causes include:

• Fungi.

• Bacteria.

• Viruses.

• Root damage.

• Excessive moisture.

• Nutrient deficiencies.

• Insect damage.

Our principle:

Diagnose the problem first, then choose the solution.

Do not automatically apply a pesticide every time a plant shows yellowing or wilting.

27. ROOT HEALTH

Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy cotton crop.

We recommend:

• Avoiding prolonged waterlogging.

• Improving drainage.

• Avoiding unnecessary root damage during weeding.

• Using quality seed.

• Managing soil-borne diseases.

• Maintaining soil fertility.

• Avoiding excessive fertilizer concentrations around the roots.

28. WATER MANAGEMENT

Cotton requires adequate moisture during important growth stages, but prolonged waterlogging can be harmful.

For rain-fed cotton, farmers should plan planting according to:

• Beginning of rainfall.

• Total rainfall.

• Rainfall distribution.

• Soil type.

• Soil water-holding capacity.

For irrigated cotton, water requirements should be adjusted according to:

• Soil type.

• Temperature.

• Crop age.

• Evapotranspiration.

• Growth stage.

Avoid:

Excessive irrigation + poor drainage.

This combination can damage roots and reduce crop performance.

29. VEGETATIVE GROWTH STAGE

After emergence and establishment, monitor:

• Plant height.

• Number of branches.

• Leaf color.

• Root health.

• Weed pressure.

• Pest pressure.

• Disease symptoms.

Do not automatically increase nitrogen whenever plants appear to be growing slowly.

First ask:

• Is there enough moisture?

• Are the roots healthy?

• Are insects present?

• Is soil pH suitable?

• Is phosphorus available?

• Is drainage adequate?

30. FLOWERING AND REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT

As cotton enters reproductive growth, crop requirements change.

At this stage:

• Continue scouting.

• Control weeds.

• Monitor pests.

• Maintain balanced nutrition.

• Avoid excessive nitrogen.

• Avoid severe water stress.

31. BOLL DEVELOPMENT

Boll development is one of the most important stages in cotton production.

Farmers should protect:

• Flowers.

• Young bolls.

• Healthy leaves.

• Roots.

• Soil moisture.

Boll-feeding insects can cause significant losses if they are not detected early.

32. REDUCING PEST DAMAGE

Scout regularly

Do not wait until damage becomes severe.

Remove pest sources

Manage weeds and other plants that may serve as pest hosts.

Use pesticides correctly

Use registered products that are appropriate for the confirmed pest problem.

Rotate modes of action

Avoid repeatedly using the same pesticide group without a resistance-management strategy.

33. SAFE PESTICIDE USE

Before applying any pesticide:

1. Identify the pest or disease.

2. Read the label.

3. Confirm that the product is registered for the intended use.

4. Apply the recommended rate.

5. Wear appropriate PPE.

6. Follow the pre-harvest interval (PHI).

7. Do not mix products without appropriate guidance.

8. Avoid spraying during strong winds.

9. Store pesticides safely.

10. Never use pesticide containers for storing food or drinking water.

34. MEASURING PESTICIDES

Do not measure pesticides using:

• Soda bottle caps.

• Uncalibrated cups.

• Ordinary bottles.

• Guesswork.

Use:

A calibrated measuring cylinder or measuring cup.

If the label says:

X mL per 20 litres of water

do not estimate the amount.

Follow the label exactly.

35. EXAMPLE OF SPRAYER CALCULATION

Suppose your sprayer holds:

20 litres

and calibration shows that you use:

200 litres per acre

Then:

200 ÷ 20 = 10 tankfuls per acre

Therefore, if the pesticide label gives a recommended amount per acre, you can divide that amount across the 10 tankfuls after confirming proper calibration.

Important

This is only a calculation method.

The actual pesticide rate must come from the label of the registered product being used.

36. SPRAYER CALIBRATION

Before spraying:

1. Fill the sprayer with clean water.

2. Spray a known area.

3. Measure how much water was used.

4. Calculate water volume per acre.

5. Adjust pressure and nozzle selection.

6. Only then prepare the pesticide mixture.

Proper calibration helps prevent:

• Overdosing.

• Underdosing.

• Wasted pesticide.

• Crop injury.

• Unnecessary production costs.

37. CONTROL WEEDS BEFORE THEY PRODUCE SEED

Do not allow weeds to remain until they produce large quantities of seed.

Those seeds can create a much larger weed problem in the following season.

Our message:

A clean field today makes the next season easier to manage.

38. INTERCROPPING

In some farming systems, cotton can be intercropped with crops such as:

• Beans.

• Groundnuts.

• Cowpeas.

However, intercropping must consider:

• Spacing.

• Water competition.

• Nutrient requirements.

• Weed management.

• Pest pressure.

• Market demand.

TARI has conducted trials involving cotton intercropped with legumes such as beans, groundnuts, cowpeas and green grams in some parts of Tanzania.

Do not intercrop without a clear spacing and management plan.

39. COTTON HARVESTING

Cotton should be harvested when bolls open and the lint is mature and ready.

We recommend:

• Harvest fully opened cotton.

• Keep clean cotton separate from trash.

• Avoid mixing wet cotton with dry cotton.

• Keep leaves and plant debris out of harvested cotton.

• Use clean harvesting containers.

• Store harvested cotton in a dry environment.

40. MULTIPLE PICKINGS

Cotton does not usually open all at once.

Therefore:

Inspect the field regularly.

Pick mature, opened bolls as they become ready.

Do not leave mature cotton in the field unnecessarily because it may be affected by:

• Rain.

• Moisture.

• Dirt.

• Insects.

• Quality deterioration.

41. COTTON QUALITY AFTER HARVEST

Cotton quality can be affected by:

• Soil.

• Leaves.

• Water.

• Oil.

• Plastic.

• Grass.

• Plant residues.

• Excess moisture.

Therefore:

Never mix trash with cotton.

Farmers who want to protect cotton quality must begin protecting that quality in the field.

42. AFTER HARVEST

After harvesting:

• Clean the field appropriately.

• Manage crop residues properly.

• Control volunteer plants and alternative pest hosts where necessary.

• Plan the next crop.

• Practice crop rotation where appropriate.

• Review production costs and yields.

• Keep records of the season.

43. KEEP FARM RECORDS

Farmer, we recommend keeping a farm record book.

Record:

Planting date

Seed variety

Quantity of seed used

Area planted

Fertilizer quantity

Fertilizer type

Fertilizer application dates

Pesticides used

Pests identified

Diseases identified

Production costs

Quantity harvested

Selling price

These records will help you determine whether your cotton enterprise is profitable and where improvements are needed.

44. COTTON FARMING SCHEDULE — SUMMARY

Actual timing varies according to variety, location, rainfall, temperature and production system.

45. 15 COMMON MISTAKES COTTON FARMERS SHOULD AVOID

1. Planting without a market plan

Know your target market before planting.

2. Using unknown seed

Use quality seed suitable for your area.

3. Incorrect spacing

Follow the recommended spacing for your production system.

4. Planting too late

Plant according to the appropriate seasonal window.

5. Not testing the soil

Do not guess soil fertility.

6. Applying fertilizer without a plan

Nutrient application should match crop and soil requirements.

7. Applying excessive nitrogen

Too much nitrogen can promote excessive vegetative growth and disturb the balance between vegetative and reproductive development.

8. Delaying weed control

Control weeds early.

9. Spraying without scouting

Identify the problem first.

10. Using guessed pesticide rates

Follow the product label.

11. Failing to use PPE

Protect your health.

12. Ignoring boll-feeding pests

Scout throughout the production cycle.

13. Leaving mature cotton in the field

Harvest at the appropriate time.

14. Mixing cotton with trash

Protect cotton quality.

15. Keeping no records

Record your costs, inputs, yields and sales.

46. HOW MUCH COTTON CAN ONE ACRE PRODUCE?

This is an important question, but we want to answer it carefully.

Yield cannot be guaranteed with one number for every farmer.

It depends on:

• Variety.

• Rainfall.

• Soil.

• Fertilizer.

• Plant spacing.

• Weed control.

• Pest management.

• Disease management.

• Planting time.

• Crop management.

• Farmer skills.

TARI has reported examples of farmers achieving major productivity improvements after adopting technologies such as 60 cm × 30 cm spacing and other improved agronomic practices. However, results from one farmer or location should not be interpreted as a guaranteed yield for every farm.

Therefore, our advice is:

Do not focus only on cultivating more acres.

Focus on managing the acres you cultivate properly.

TARI has also highlighted the importance of farmers concentrating on land that they can manage effectively rather than opening up large areas that cannot receive proper agronomic management.

47. A PROFESSIONAL ONE-ACRE COTTON FARMING PLAN

For a farmer cultivating one acre, we recommend the following approach:

STEP 1

Test the soil.

STEP 2

Obtain quality seed suitable for your area.

STEP 3

Prepare the field early.

STEP 4

Plan spacing of 60 × 30 cm, where this technology is recommended for your area.

STEP 5

Develop a fertilizer plan based on soil-test results.

STEP 6

Plant at the appropriate time.

STEP 7

Thin and fill missing stands early.

STEP 8

Begin weed control early.

STEP 9

Scout the field regularly every week.

STEP 10

Manage pests and diseases correctly.

STEP 11

Apply nitrogen in split applications where required.

STEP 12

Protect flowers and developing bolls.

STEP 13

Harvest mature cotton on time.

STEP 14

Protect cotton quality after harvesting.

STEP 15

Calculate production costs and returns.

48. OUR ADVICE TO COTTON FARMERS

Farmer, do not grow cotton based only on tradition.

Agricultural technologies continue to evolve, and TARI continues research on cotton varieties, soil fertility, pests, diseases, production systems and technologies for improving cotton productivity and sustainability.

At the beginning of every season, ask yourself:

What is the condition of my soil?

Which seed variety am I using, and is it suitable for my area?

What spacing should I use?

How much fertilizer does my soil and crop actually require?

How will I control weeds?

How often will I scout for pests?

What will I do if a pest or disease problem appears?

When will I harvest?

Where will I sell my cotton?

That is where commercially managed cotton production begins.

49. HOW CHETU AGROSOLUTION CAN SUPPORT YOU

At CHETU AGROSOLUTION, we believe farmers should not simply purchase agricultural inputs without understanding how to use them correctly.

We support farmers with:

• Seed selection.

• Fertilizers.

• Crop protection products.

• Pest identification.

• Disease identification.

• Proper input-use guidance.

• Crop production schedules.

• Farm management advice.

• Plant nutrition guidance.

• Support in addressing production challenges.

For agricultural inputs and professional agronomic support, visit:

CHETU AGROSOLUTION — chetuagro.com

CONCLUSION

Farmer, successful cotton farming does not begin on harvest day.

It begins before planting.

Choose the right land → test the soil → select quality seed → prepare the field → plant at the correct spacing → manage nutrition correctly → control weeds on time → scout regularly → manage pests and diseases correctly → protect flowers and bolls → harvest on time → protect cotton quality → evaluate the business.

Our message to you is simple:

Do not aim to cultivate a large area that you cannot manage properly.

Aim for productive, well-managed acres.

CHETU AGROSOLUTION
Better Agricultural Inputs. Better Harvests. Better Lives.