Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
THE Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) has invited competitive bids for the provision of toll ginning services for the produce delivered during this year’s cotton marketing season.
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“Cottco is inviting suitably qualified and reputable bidders with a verified track record to submit bids for the provision of toll ginning services under tender number COT/CB/09/2025, with the closing date and time being August 14 at 10 am.
“The tender documents are obtainable free of charge upon request and submitted electronically.”
Bidders who download the tender document on the website should notify the Procurement Management Unit (PMU), stated the notice.
This notice follows early disclosures by Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF) chief executive officer, Dr John Mangudya, recently when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, that they will take over the legacy debt of Cottco.
“We want to ensure that Cottco pays its legacy debts, which are the money they owe to workers (US$3,1 million), transporters (US$1 million) and farmers (about US$6 million),” he said.
“So, we are putting these measures in place so that Cottco will be able to pay farmers. We are starting with the current crop and we have disbursed US$5 million so far out of the US$10 million (it owes).”
He said Cottco would also introduce a credit card system for farmers to curb abuse of inputs distributed under the Presidential Inputs Scheme (PIS).
The card will be for farmers to swipe for inputs at registered merchants. The system will be linked to the banks, POSB and AFC and the biometrics from the Registrar General’s office.
“The card will only be for inputs and contain the biometrics of the farmer to prevent double-dipping and abuse of the facility,” Dr Mangudya said.
Online Reporter