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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter
The cotton marketing season ended last week with farmers having delivered nearly 90 000 tonnes worth over US$29,6 million and $24 billion over the season compared to 54 000 tonnes produced last season.
This is a huge increase of 67 percent courtesy of the Presidential inputs scheme which enticed many to take up production of the crop.
Nearly 350 000 farmers were contracted to grow cotton under the Presidential inputs scheme last year and planted about 250 000 hectares and 152 000 tonnes were expected this season but the target was not met due to unfavourable rains in some areas.
Running for the eighth straight season, the State-assisted scheme has seen cotton production recovering.
Under the scheme, farmers get free basal and top dressing fertiliser, seed as well as chemicals.
Farmers have been receiving free cotton inputs under the scheme as part of efforts to increase the country’s cotton production and revive the industry which had almost collapsed.
Stakeholders have since indicated that they foresee an increase in cotton production this season following the Government’s timely intervention with lucrative cotton prices and the classification of cotton as an export crop this season.
This year, Zimbabwe is targeting to get US$70 million from cotton exports plus a significant increase in seed for the cooking oil industry.
Statistics from Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) indicate that Alliance Ginneries has received 10 300 tonnes compared to 2 400 tonnes last season while Cottco received 69 000 tonnes compared to 46 000 tonnes received last season.
The organisation’s business director Mr Jonathan Mukuruba indicated that next season farmers are expected to produce more, adding that this year’s production was good.
“Given the 85 percent forex payment to our farmers this year and the continued government support, we expect our farmers to increase production even further in the new season, he said.
This year, cotton farmers are paid 85 percent of their total sales in United States dollars and the remainder will be paid in Zimbabwe dollars at prevailing interbank exchange rates upon delivery of the crop at any Cottco buying point.
Cotton Producers and Marketers Association Mr Steward Mubonderi said this season was a great season where the productivity was very high compared to the previous year, adding that rainfall patterns were also good in the production of the crop.
“We are however happy with the 85 percent foreign currency retention which is motivating more farmers to join farming next season. This season was great for most farmers because we were motivated by the high component of foreign currency. I urge farmers to remove stalks in the fields in preparation of the next season,” he said.
Mr Mubonderi also urged farmers to prepare for the new season since the Government is currently distributing Pfumvudza inputs.
He urged seed companies to increase a new variety called myhco which helped most farmers to increase their productivity this season.
Farmers were excited this year and the majority showed that they will join cotton growing next year.
Mr Marvellous Bushe who is a farmer and beneficiary of the Presidential cotton input scheme from Gokwe, said foreign currency component was a good incentive for him to continue growing cotton.
“I intend to invest my money into a business. My four wives and I have agreed to buy a grinding mill while the excess will be used to purchase other things that we are lacking at the farm,” he said.
Mr Bushe said because of the bright prospects that the cotton crop had for farmers, he was going to save some money to lease 15ha this coming season.
“I target to put 15 hectares under the crop as part-payment of it in forex gives us hope to continue cotton farming,” he said.
“I am quite positive that the Second Republic will make sure that our local currency becomes stable so that more farmers plant the crop,” said Mr Bushe.
Another cotton farmer, Ms Doreen Chiedza from Mauya, in Hurungwe district, who is yet to try her luck this season, said she was being motivated by the handsome payouts.
“I will try to do cotton this season as most farmers in my area and surrounding areas have managed to realise more from the crop which is referred to as white gold,” she said.
Cotton is mostly grown under contract arrangements in Zimbabwe with ginners providing inputs and buying the produced seed cotton.
The Government, through Cottco, is the main contractor accounting for more than 85 percent of all cotton production.
Zimbabwe seed cotton mainly produced by smallholder communal farmers with small plots ranging from half a hectare to five hectares, is the most sought after globally, as it is hand-picked with minimal contamination thereby maintaining good quality standards.
Cotton remains the most viable drought tolerant crop to grow in marginal rainfall areas in Natural Regions 3, 4 and 5.
The provision of free inputs under the Presidential input scheme coupled with considerable knowledge and experience act as incentives in cotton production.
Production of cotton can transform rural communities through the cash crop and having huge benefits to the economy at large as a major source of cooking oil for local consumption and cotton fibre for export markets.
Online Reporter