Cotton Research in East Africa

Abstract

THE report of the administrative council of the Empire Cotton Growing Corporation submitted to the twenty-first annual general meeting on June 2 refers to a report by the Scientific Advisory Committee which outlines a scheme for the establishment by the Corporation of a Central Cotton Research Station in Uganda. Careful examination of the work being done by the present experiment stations has confirmed the view expressed in last year's report as to the value for the Empire of such a station in East Africa, at which fundamental scientific investigations could be carried out arising from practical problems that confront cotton-growing in those Dominions and Colonies in which the crop is cultivated on a commercial scale. The functions of such a station are defined as to carry out research on problems of cotton growing, especially on those of common interest to several territories. Such work should have a practical bearing on cotton production, and cotton should be treated as an element in peasant agriculture, compatible with food production, the prevention of erosion and the maintenance of soil fertility. Its functions would also include the co-ordination of certain activities of the Corporation's stations elsewhere in Africa, and if requested, of stations working on cotton and staffed by the Colonial Agricultural Service.