cotton growers challenges merchants to increase prices

Mushinye Village recently, cotton grower Mr Lovemore Bimbo said a number of farmers in his area had reduced hectarages as a result of low prices.
“Cottco assists us with inputs but the company should adjust prices upwards so that we get reasonable prices from the crop,” he said.

Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire challenged farmers to increase yields per unit area if they were to get high returns at the end of the season.
“Zimbabwe is the breadbasket of Southern Africa and we cannot afford to import food,” he said.
Cde Mavhaire said the success of the country depended on Zimbabweans.

“If we all succeed then the country will succeed,” he said.
Cde Mavhaire said farmers should be trained to maximise production. Cottco Muzarabani business unit manager Mr Kudakwashe Mabonga said his company had farmers at heart and was willing to address their plight. Mr Mabonga, however, said prices on the international market affected local prices.

“We have no control over the local prices as these are determined internationally,” he said.
Agricultural Marketing Authority chief executive Mr Rockie Mutenha encouraged farmers to consider contract farming as they would be guaranteed of getting inputs on time and a ready market.

“Companies that want the produce should in turn finance these farmers,” he said.
The issue of pricing has marred the cotton industry.
Some farmers refused to sell their crop in anticipation of better prices while others threatened to abandon cotton production. In June, the cotton industry agreed to review downward prices of cotton seed in line with the global prices.

The minimum price was reduced from US$0,85c per kilogramme agreed in March this year to US$0,75c per kilogramme.
“The new agreement was necessitated by the drastic decline in the international lint prices as quoted by the Cotlook ‘A’ index from US$2,37c per pound at the end of May 2011.”

It is estimated that cotton deliveries could reach 300 million kilogrammes this year although some areas were affected by drought especially in the Lowveld.