During the last two decades of 20 th century, the application of intensive cultivation technologies has helped China to enhance yields and emerge as the world's largest cotton producer. But this approach is being debated now because of the increasing labour costs, that are linked to the rapid ECONOMIC development and urbanisation of the country. A new approach called 'light and simplified cultivation' (LSC) has been initiated to respond to the new context. This approach become more relevant to the small-scale farm- ing systems of China as opposed to the complete mecha- nisation observed in developed countries. The approach of light and simplified cultivation (LSC) aims to reduce la - bour intensiveness. It simplifies cultivation management, diminishes the frequency of field operations, and adjusts techniques that blend with their implementation by ma- chines. Promising techniques have been already obtained, such as single-seed precision sowing, control of vegetative branches without pruning, one-time fertilisation, fertiga- tion, and maturity grouping for unique harvest. LSC tech- nology is believed to provide a solid support for sustaina- ble production of cotton in China and holds tremendous promise for yield-enhancement in the small-scale farming systems in Africa.