Cotton farmers in Busia County are set to benefit significantly following the introduction of a new cotton seed milling machine and the implementation of targeted farmer training programs. The machine, installed at the Luanda Cotton Ginnery in Samia Sub-county, is poised to enhance value addition in cotton processing and promote economic empowerment within the farming community.
With the capacity to process 80 kilograms per hour, the machine transforms cotton seeds into valuable by-products including cottonseed oil and seed cake. This diversification enables farmers to benefit from multiple revenue streams lint for the textile industry, oil for industrial uses, and seed cake for animal feed production. The result is a projected increase of 8 to 11 percent in the farm gate price of seed cotton, which is expected to significantly improve profitability.
The equipment has been locally developed, ensuring ease of access to spare parts and maintenance. It is also versatile and can be used to process other oil crops such as sunflower, further expanding its utility for farmers. This initiative forms part of a broader effort to revitalize the cotton sector and reduce reliance on imported lint and seed cake by boosting local production.
To complement the introduction of the new milling technology, comprehensive farmer training programs have been rolled out. These focus on best practices in cotton cultivation, pest control, seed selection, and post-harvest handling. The training is tailored to help farmers transition from traditional methods to modern, high-yield practices, thereby boosting productivity and sustainability.
One of the key goals is to expand the area under cotton cultivation from the current 40,000 acres to 160,000 acres by 2027. Productivity is also expected to increase from 153 kilograms per acre to 900 kilograms per acre within the same timeframe. This will be supported by continued government provision of quality seeds and pesticides, including Bt cotton and open-pollinated varieties. Busia County alone has received substantial inputs in 2025, including 125 metric tonnes of OPV seeds and 750 kilograms of Bt seeds.
Local leaders are calling on youth to take up cotton farming as a viable economic opportunity. With modern equipment and access to extension services, the sector promises employment and increased income for young people who embrace it. Diversification is also being encouraged within the textile value chain, including the exploration of alternative raw materials such as silk and sisal.
With 85 percent of Busia’s land being arable and over 140,000 farming households, the potential for growth in cotton production is immense. These recent developments are set to reinvigorate the region’s agricultural sector, offering new hope and tangible opportunities for farmers across the county.
