In order to increase the volume of production to supply the Metropolitan industry, the Forced Labor Ordinance for cotton was instituted, which required each rural family to produce cotton on an area of half a hectare.
With the increase in production volumes to about 12 Tons, the Colonial Cotton Export Board was created, which had as its main functions the coordination and supervision of the production and trade of overseas cotton (Decree No. 28,697 of 25/05/1938).
The decree that imposed forced labor is revoked, through Decree n°43.875 of 08/24/61, and the Mozambique Cotton Institute is created.
After Independence, many cotton production centers were abandoned and technicians (settlers) fled, resulting in a significant decrease in the levels of cotton production and the Mozambican Cotton Institute was abolished. At that time, the State Cotton Department was created through the Presidential Decree no. 11/79 of 24/10/79 with the objective of ensuring the post-colonial transition and stimulating the sub-sector, which culminated with the creation of State Cotton Companies in all provinces and the stimulation of the Cooperative Sector.
Through Decree 7/91 of April 23, the State Cotton Office was extinguished, and the Mozambique Cotton Institute was created, with the objective of promoting, guiding, disciplining and inspecting the activities related to the production, commercialization, industrialization and export of cotton.
Through Decree No. 36/2015, of December 31, in order to make the institution more adjusted to the requirements and dynamics of the cotton subsector and integrate other crops for textile purposes, the attributions and competencies of the Mozambique Cotton Institute were redefined.
Through the Decree 49/2020 of July 1, the Mozambique Cotton Institute was extinguished and the current Mozambique Cotton and Oilseed Institute was created, a Public Institute with the mandate to promote the production, commercialization, industrialization and export of cotton and oilseeds, their products, sub-products and other crops for textile purposes, with a view to satisfaction at national and international levels.
