adminGovernment to buy cotton from farmers
Obert Chifamba Senior Agriculture Reporter
GOVERNMENT will soon intervene and buy cotton from farmers if the current price impasse between growers and merchants is not resolved.
It has, however, not hinted on the prices it will offer for the cotton as it is yet to start mobilising the money for the programme.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made said Cabinet had ordered him to intervene and save the farmers.
“Cabinet has advised us to start mobilising cash to buy cotton from farmers and sell it later when prices are firm on the international market,” said Minister Made.
“As it stands, I think we may be forced to re-introduce the Cotton Marketing Board and buy all the cotton from the farmers to enable them to break even and plan for the next season.