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George Maponga in Chiredzi
More than 30 000 cotton farmers have been registered under the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA)’s new biometric system to enhance cotton production in the country.
This initiative is designed to combat double dipping and side marketing of cotton, often referred to as the “white gold”, as the 2025 marketing season approaches.
Zimbabwe is emerging as a significant cotton producer in Africa, generating millions in hard currency annually.
However, the sector faces challenges, including input shortages and side marketing practices.
Therefore, the Government and stakeholders in the cotton industry are collaborating to address these issues and maximise the potential of cotton production.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture visited the Lowveld area last Friday to understand the challenges faced by local cotton farmers.
The Lowveld is becoming a crucial cotton-producing region in Zimbabwe. During the visit, officials from AMA, Grain Marketing Board, and COTTCO joined the committee to assess the situation.
Mr Clever Isaya, AMA’s chief executive, stated that the visit was meant to evaluate the accessibility of inputs for cotton farmers.
“We are visiting cotton distribution points together with members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, teams from GMB and COTTCO to assess progress and challenges faced in accessing inputs by cotton farmers in the Lowveld,” said Mr Isaya.
Mr Isaya revealed that the issue of payment for cotton deliveries had also loomed large during the visit.
He called for coordination between AMA, GMB, COTTCO, and other contractors to ensure timely input distribution.
One critical issue discussed was payment for cotton deliveries.
“We have also resolved that no contractor will be licensed (to purchase cotton from farmers) if they owe farmers, all contractors should have paid farmers in full for them to be licensed,” added Mr Isaya.
Many farmers expressed frustration over payment delays and the late availability of inputs. In response, Mr Isaya mentioned that the biometric registration system aims to improve accountability among farmers. Currently, about 30 000 farmers are registered and the process ongoing.
Felix Maburuse, chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, expressed concerns over GMB and COTTCO’s failure to provide timely input availability.
“We visited cotton inputs distribution points and GMB depots at Ngundu and Chiredzi and we discovered that there are no inputs especially fertilisers in stock and farmers are yet to get the inputs up to now. The farmers were also complaining over delays in payment,” he said.
Online Reporter