Cottco moves to curb Presidential inputs abuse

Mutapa Investment Fund Chief Executive Officer Dr John Mangudya (right) before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands,Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development.

Farirai Machivenyika

Senior Reporter

The country’s largest cotton-producing company, Cottco Holdings, will soon introduce an inputs access card for farmers to curb the abuse of the Presidential Inputs Scheme.

In the past, unscrupulous individuals have abused the facility by accessing the inputs and selling them on the black market.

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development heard about the new measure from Mutapa Investment Fund Chief Executive Officer, Dr John Mangudya, when he appeared before it to brief legislators on funding for the company to revive its operations.

Cottco falls under the MIF, the country’s sovereign wealth fund.

“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 will carry the farmer’s biometrics to prevent double-dipping and abuse of the facility,” Dr Mangudya said.