Tanzania’s name has continued to shine in the global stage, with organic cotton produced in Simiyu Region gaining international recognition.
Currently contributing about 60% of Tanzania’s cotton output, the region has earned global acknowledgement through its production of organic cotton, making it the only region in the country engaged in that form of sustainable farming.
Speaking during a press briefing in Dodoma on 18th July, Simiyu Regional Commissioner, Anamringi Macha said the region has maintained its position as the leading cotton producer in the country, attributing the success to strategic investments made over the past four years under the administration of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Organic cotton is considered a good choice for textiles and goods. It is produced using environmentally friendly farming practices that avoid synthetic pesticides, fertilisers and genetically modified organisms, making it a more sustainable and often softer option compared to conventional cotton.
According to the RC, the sixth-phase government has enabled the region to surpass expectations through improved infrastructure, extension services and access to quality inputs for farmers.
He noted that around 80% of Simiyu’s population depends on agriculture and from 2020 to 2025, the region instituted several measures to strengthen the sector, with significant success in cotton farming.
“Simiyu is the only region in Tanzania cultivating organic cotton. Production of seed cotton rose from 64,594 tonnes in 2020 to 140,000 tonnes in 2024, while organic cotton output grew from 10,300 tonnes in 2021/2022 to 12,285 tonnes in 2022/2023,” he said.
He added: “The region ranked seventh and fifth globally in organic cotton production, coming behind countries such as China, India, Turkey and Tajikistan.”
To sustain the momentum, the Simiyu Cooperative Union (SIMCU 2018 Ltd.) revived the Sola Ginnery in Maswa District at a cost of 4 billion/-, financed by the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB).
Several private investors have also strengthened the region’s cotton processing capacity. These include the Rajendra Agro 1 Industry Ltd. in Maswa, which processes 350 tonnes of cotton per day and employs 132 workers, 40 permanent and 92 on a temporary basis.
The company invested 12.4 billion/- in the facility. Another major player is Bio Sustain Tanzania Ltd. in Meatu District, which has a daily processing capacity of 500 tonnes of cotton.
In Bariadi District, TRIWAN Tanzania Ltd. operates an oil processing plant capable of refining 400 tonnes of sunflower oil and more than 600 tonnes of cotton oil per day.
Meanwhile, BigOne Company Ltd., located in Maswa has a cotton ginnery with a daily processing capacity of 150 tonnes.
According to the RC, the listed factories were officially inaugurated by President Samia during her working visit to Simiyu from 16th – 19th June 2025.
“Cotton is more than just a cash crop, it is the backbone of Simiyu’s economy, we acknowledge the government for enabling the region’s transformation,” he said.
On food security, he said the region is food self-sufficient, with 1.17 million tonnes of staple crops such as maize, rice, sorghum and millet produced during the 2023/2024 farming season.
This comfortably surpasses the regional annual food requirement of 642,149 tonnes.
Food production in Simiyu has surged from 421,451.5 tonnes in 2020 to 1,176,477 tonnes in 2025. Similarly, sunflower production doubled from 52,000 tonnes in 2020 to 106,000 tonnes in 2024.
In the livestock sector, the regional boss said the region ranks third nationwide. According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, Simiyu has 2.5 million cattle, 957,825 goats, 797,323 sheep and 3.4 million chickens.
This shows significant growth compared to the 2012 census figures of 1.6 million cattle and 2.3 million chickens, reflecting the region’s commitment to developing the livestock sector.
Simiyu Region, which borders Mara to the north, Arusha to the east, Shinyanga and Singida to the south and Mwanza to the west, covers 23,807.7 square kilometres.
Of this, about 11,479.10 square kilometres is suitable for settlement, agriculture and livestock keeping a key drivers of the region’s thriving cotton industry.
As of 2025, the region’s population is estimated at 2,337,384, including 1,134,680 men and 1,202,704 women, further highlighting the scale of agricultural engagement and labour force.
