Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development www.iiste.org ISSN 2222-1700 (Paper) ISSN 2222-2855 (Online) Vol.8, No.8, 2017 93 Retooling Cotton Growers for Improved Productivity in Mozambique: Implications of Integrated Crop Management Practices Richard Musebe 1* Daniel Karanja 1 Edson Caneiro 2 Julie Flood 3 Helder Desousa 2 Frei Sualehe 2 Roger Day 1 Martin Kimani 1 Charles Agwanda 1 1.CABI Africa, P.O. Box 633-00621, Nairobi, Kenya 2.Mozambique Institute for Cotton, P.O Box 806 Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique 3.CABI, Bakeham Lane, Egham Surrey, TW20 9TY, United Kingdom Abstract In Mozambique average yields of seed cotton range from 400-750 kg/ha on smallholders’ farms, while those in research plots average 3,000 kg/ha. To improve productivity, integrated crop management (ICM) practices were promoted in cotton production systems, using farmer field schools (FFS). In addition, relevant information on cotton marketing was provided to the cotton growers. This paper examines the extent to which the initiative contributed to changes in farmer practices, productivity and income. The ICM farmers had significantly larger area (p<0.01) under cotton, which was due to an overall average increase of 0.19 ha above that of non-ICM farmers. Ninety seven per cent of the ICM farmers rated cotton as the key contributor to income compared to 80% of the non-ICM farmers. Net incomes from cotton were significantly higher (p<0.01) for the ICM farmers. The ICM farmers had better access to information and knowledge of cotton production compared to the other farmers. The ICM farmers used significantly (p<0.01) less pesticides by up to US$ 9.27 and realized better seed cotton yields of up to 250 kg/ha above non-ICM farmers. Efficient use of ICM practices contributed to sustained increase in productivity and incomes. Keywords: Productivity, sustainability, yield, income, pesticides. 1. Introduction Cotton yields in Mozambique have been significantly lower than the potential yields. Average yields of seed cotton range from 400-750 kg/ha on smallholders’ farms, while those in research plots often average 3,000 kg/ha and above (Duncan, 2003; MOA, 1993). In addition, the yields have been declining over time (Chamuene, et. al. (2010); Duncan, 2003). The low and declining yields were mainly due to poor quality of planting seeds, poor and untimely land preparation and inadequate pest comparison measures (Chamuene, et. al. 2010; GOM, 2004). There is wide scope for improvement in production efficiency of the smallholder farmers. In 2009 the Government of Mozambique and development partners started an initiative to improve cotton production efficiency in small-scale farming systems through better vertical integration of the supply chain. This involved formulation and promotion of integrated crop management (ICM) practices in cotton production systems by both the private enterprises and public organizations. Best practice ICM packages were introduced and promoted alongside building stakeholder linkages for sustaining ICM. The ICM strategy was based on a Farmer Participatory Training and Research approach in which farmer field schools were the central component (Williamson, et. al. 2000; Kimani et.al. 2000). The ICM activities were implemented in five districts of Nampula Province in Mozambique. Three districts, Monapo, Meconta and Mecuburi were selected from SANAM Cotton Company concession. These districts had a high number of cotton farmers and the need to build farmer capacity in order to increase cotton productivity. Two districts, Ribaue and Lalaua, were selected from OLAM Cotton Company. The two districts had many cotton farmers and were of strategic importance to the company. Under the concession system the two cotton companies are mandated to help in cotton production and purchase the seed cotton produced in the same area. Of the two, SANAM was more advanced in terms of value addition, processing fibre, cooking oil and soap, which was not the case for OLAM. SANAM also had blocks of land where farming was conducted by groups whose land was ploughed by the company and where production and marketing practices were monitored closely for individual farmers after sub-division of the blocks. All farmers contracted to a specified cotton company were obliged to sell seed cotton to the same company. The companies provided seeds, pest control products, cash for production practices and technical advice. For each of the cotton companies, a single district that was not involved in the initiative was selected for comparison with the districts where ICM was implemented. The districts were Muecate under SANAM Cotton Company and Murupula under OLAM Cotton Company, and had similar socio-economic and natural production conditions as those involved in the initiative. The comparison districts were selected carefully to reduce the possibility of information exchange through interaction with those involved in the initiative. The selection of all the districts was guided by the experts from the cotton companies and the Mozambique Institute for Cotton