130 000 farmers register for cotton production

Violet Chenyika

OVER 130 000 farmers, who are expected to put nearly 145 000 hectares under cotton for the 2024-25 summer cropping season, have so far registered with the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco), raising expectations for a successful season.

With forecasts predicting normal to above-normal rains, a minimum yield of 100 000 tonnes of cotton seed is projected.

Cottco chief executive officer Mr Rockie Mutenha told The Sunday Mail that there was overwhelming response from farmers.

“Farmers are excited and registering in large numbers,” he said.

“So far, about 130 000 farmers have registered and close to 145 000 hectares have been contracted. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we expect a minimum yield of 100 000 tonnes of cotton seed.”

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD)’s early season rainfall outlook predicts normal to below-normal rainfall from October to December, followed by normal to above-normal rains between January and March.

The El Niño-induced drought and poor moisture conservation, Mr Mutenha said, led to depressed production last year.

“Last year, we experienced a drought and most farmers were not using moisture conserving farming methods,” he added.

“Our plant population was around 20 000 plants per hectare.

“This year, we are targeting between 30 000 to 33 000 plants per hectare, with a goal of at least 15 bolls per plant.”

Cottco, he said, had increased the amount of support given to farmers this season to boost production.

“We are supplying 200kg of basal and 100kg of top-dressing fertilisers per hectare this year, compared to last year’s 100kg basal and 50kg top-dressing, which thinly spread over a big hectarage. This will be a significant boost for yields,” added Mr Mutenha.

Cottco is also heightening farmer training to improve crop quality.

“We have set up demonstration plots at our business units to teach farmers proper agronomic practices. We will focus on planting techniques, plant population, fertiliser application, weed control, pest management, ensuring quality cotton-picking methods and pre-grading to achieve a quality crop.”