adminon the model to be used to determine the producer price for the crop during the 2013 marketing season, Cotton Producers and Marketers Association national chairperson Mr Clemence Gondo has said.
The cotton marketing season normally starts in April and ends in August.
Mr Gondo said the two parties had held three meetings to date.
“When we met with cotton ginners we failed to agree on the pricing model we will use to establish the cotton producer price for the 2013 marketing season.
“As farmers we feel what ginners are offering is not viable. On the other hand the ginners are also arguing that what we are demanding is also not sustainable on their side, hence the impasse,” he said, without divulging the figure that either side had proposed.
Mr Gondo said the talks had been put on hold while awaiting intervention of the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA).
“The AMA is currently saying we are not yet ready for the meeting so we will continue waiting for the authority to help break the deadlock,” he said.
He said farmers wanted a better producer price this year compared to the previous one.
“Last year the crop was being bought at around $0,30 per kilogramme which we feel should not be repeated this year,” he said adding that cotton farmers wanted a producer price at par with countries in region like Zambia, Malawi and Zambia.
Over the years cotton marketing seasons have been characterised by price wars between farmers and ginners, with the two parties accusing each other of insincerity.
Cotton output is expected to slump as many growers are moving to other cash crops due to the low producer prices being offered. — New Ziana
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo