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Farmers Union indicates that the bulk of the crop is ready for harvesting in many areas and few farmers have started picking because of the uncertainty related to the price.
According to ZFU, cotton-buying points have also not been opened; a delay that the union says will impact negatively on those growers relying on cash from cotton especially for school fees.
Buyers are offering US35c per kilogram for the lowest grade while farmers are demanding as much as US$1 per kg.
Gokwe cotton grower Mrs Loice Chidzwa-nda said it was unfair for merchants to offer less money for the crop produced at high costs. “The prices being offered will leave us poor and we will not be able to pay our creditors and go back to the field, we will remain dependants,” she complained.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union president Mr Donald Khumalo said it was unfortunate that cotton prices were determined at the international market and there was nothing local merchants could do.
“The price has already been set. There is nothing we can do at the moment although we are still looking for ways to solve this challenge,” he said.
According to analysts the issue of demand and supply has affected this year’s cotton price.
Cotton Outlook figures show that this season global cotton production increased from 16 to 27,1 million tonnes combined with limited demand. The increase in production has been attributed to favourable prices that were offered last year and increased input support through the Presidential Well Wishers Scheme and contracts.
This year, local growers planted 432 709 hectares of cotton registering a 114 percent increase from last season’s 379 689ha.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made urged cotton stakeholders to agree on the price issue early to ensure a smooth marketing season.
“The price of cotton is important as the crop relates to food in terms of the cotton cake, which is used to feed livestock,” he said.
Online Reporter