Cotton cultivation in southern African country of Mozambique will get a boost from Brazilian technology, under a project signed by the Mozambican Cotton Institute (IAM) and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC).

As part of the agreement, a team of researchers from Brazil visited Mozambique this month to study the possibility of setting up two experimental cotton research centres and implementation of field trails, according to Mozambican media reports.

The team from Brazil visited Lower Chire and Zambezi river basins in the provinces of Tete and Manica to examine the setting up of two research units, which are scheduled to be built this year.

Under the project, Brazil will transfer its technology for growing cotton varieties that give higher yield and are more pest resistant.

The high yielding cotton varieties will be initially experimented in Mágoè, Cahora Bassa, Moatize and Mutarara districts of Tete province.

Meanwhile, IAM has lowered its 2015 cotton production target to 98,000 tons, after the recent heavy rains in northern and central parts of the country.

Cotton production in Mozambique grew from 41,000 tons in 2009-10 to 65,000 in 2010-11 and reached 184,141 tons in 2011-12. However, the production fell to 67,392 tons in 2012-13, against the target of 100,000 tons. In 2013-14, cotton production was around 110,000 tons.