Now farmers and agricultural officials say expanded irrigation, faster-maturing seed, affordable inputs and more transparent pricing could help the region’s experienced growers overcome erratic rainfall and unlock the crop’s next chapter. Across Kasese, cotton remains an important source of cash income. Because cotton is a cash crop rather than a food crop, growers depend on the income from their harvest to recover these costs. Adrian Katwetegeke, regional field officer for the Uganda Cotton Ginners and Exporters Association, supports cotton production and marketing in Kasese, Rubirizi and Kamwenge districts. Faster-maturing cotton could reduce climate riskImproved cotton varieties present another opportunity.