Chiredzi farmer is cotton grower of the year

other smallscale growers in the country.
The top award for the largescale sector went to Homwe Robson of Gokwe.
Mhosisi produced 6 308 tonnes from three hectares, achieving a yield of 2 102kg per hectare.

For coming out the best smallscale cotton producer Mr Mhosisi got a grinding mill and US$200 in cash from the sponsors of the competition.
Mr Homwe received a generator worth US$3 000 and US$300 in cash.
Other farmers who came up tops in their provinces also walked away with various prices that included seed, farming implements and cash.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made who presented the prizes commended the Cottco Outgrower programme for motivating farmers to continue to do good.
“Cottco has worked hard at developing an effective meaningful, business partnership with farmers.

“Cottco provides agronomic and technical advice which is welcomed by farmers,” he said.
Minister Made urged farmers to honour their contractual obligations and desist from side marketing.

“I challenge players in the industry to produce more than 500 000 metric tonnes in the future so as to fully utilise the country’s available ginning capacity”, he said.
Minister Made urged Cottco and other stake- holders to invest in the erection of irrigation schemes in drier parts of the country and to provide tillage, machinery and equipment to ensure higher yields.
“All you hear most of the time is the fights between merchants and farmers, I really hope Cottco and all other players take the lead in stopping the fights.

“I would like to see more also invested in researching new varieties that give us better quality lint, oil and so on,” he said.
The function was attended by Zanu-PF national secretary for production Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire and Cottco managing director Mr David Machingaidze among others.